Interesting point. It saves them, and the consumer, the cost of filtering out the yeast, AND gives the consumers three ways two enjoy the beer. Win Win. For the consumer, it is potentially three beers in one which works out to 1/3rd the unfiltered cost per can; even more if we count the savings from not having to pay for a filtered can. AND as a bonus, if we buy the four-pack, we can enjoy our favorite version twice. For the brewer, it is a much more efficient and competitive means to producing the product. As you say, "great marketing."
I pour most of the beer, swirl the sediment in the can or bottle, then pour it and drink it. It is up to each individual what they want to do. Cheers, and welcome to Beer advocate!
OK, OK, perhaps I've been overly harsh on my definition of 'nitro' and you're correct, there's just something satisfying about hearing that elongated, "pop-pfffsssssstt-gurgle-gurgle-gurgle" that really gets me off. And I still stare at, "The Surge" until it's over. Every time. When did Diageo stop putting the widget into Guinness Draught bottles? I've only had either cans or on draft for years but still thought the bottles were, 'widgetized'? The things you think ya knew that you learn on BA.
Around 2010 - 2011 (based on internet searches), Diageo's Guinness FAQ: Newly improved Guinness Draught in a Bottle... Through innovation and dedication to delivering the best drinking experience, the gas mix has been adjusted so no need for the widget. Diageo reply (partial) to a complaint (2011):
One other thing for the brewery to point out is that the beer has undergone secondary fermentation in the bottle. This produces a more complex drinking experience vs a filtered product. That should be included in the marketing story.
Doesn't that secondary fermentation also add a lot more carbonation that will spew if you shake up the bottle or can?
That depends on how well refermentation is carried out, as well as how it has been handled after leaving the brewery. I have had no problems most of the time with gentle mixing with refermented beers. I have also had occasions with gushers, even being careful not to disturb the sediment.
Heavily fruited beers (Mortalis "slushies", for example) I will slowly flip a couple times to redistribute whatever has settled in the can. Otherwise I do the decant and swirl method where applicable. Recent one I wish I had "mixed" better was a milk stout with chocolate and vanilla. I poured most of it and it had almost no chocolate or vanilla flavor. There was about a half inch of "stuff" stuck in the bottom of the bottle - adding that made the beer much better and as the brewer intended it to be. Proper? Who knows - in the eye of the beer pourer to some extent.
That's probably not a carbonation thing. That said, after drinking beer for over 40 years, I know better than to invert a can or bottle -- no matter how gentle I think I'm doing it.
For NEIPA's, I'll turn the can over and swirl for about 10 seconds before opening and I never have problem opening. I do notice a difference left in the glass between swiriling vs just being gentle with handling, opening and pouring. For any other style, I generally don't bother.
Dude, I see no emoji to tell me you're joking, so I'll just point out that I'm pretty sure we're of similar vintage. Maybe you grew up in one of those families without a TV or radio, but I doubt it.
Nope, not joking. I watched the video in the post above, so now I know what it is, but I've never seen or heard of doing that. Maybe it was a regional thing? I've only seen a handful of their videos over the years so I've missed that one whenever it occurred.
SCTV was huge (everywhere) when we were in high school. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_City_Television Note the diverse and talented cast -- that has endured to this day.