is upon us once more, bringing with it the perfect excuse to enjoy a satisfyingly malty pint of But be forewarned, a clumsy pour may well hamper your experience.

Dating right back to 1759, when Arthur Guinness secured a 9,000-year lease on Dublin's iconic St. James's Gate Brewery, this creamy stout flows throughout the great history of the Irish capital, and remains a fond favourite of locals and tourists alike.

Indeed, no trip to is complete without a sip or two of Guinness, and many beer aficionados claim it tastes better in the famed bars of this beautiful city than anywhere else in the .

If you're lucky enough to be enjoying the sights and sounds of Temple Bar this evening, then this will undoubtedly feel true. However, you can still enjoy all the characteristic tangy flavours of a Guinness from your coach - even if you have to make do with Spotify rather than a live band.

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Of course, as any true Guinness lover knows, this isn't a beverage to be slurped straight from the can. You'll need to grab yourself a decent glass - Tulip or Nonic style ideally - and pour your beverage out carefully, making sure to get that signature foamy head just right.

According to a blog post on the : "A really good beer glass needs to be free of any residual detergent, soap or grease as these residues degrade the beer foam. The foam is a fundamental part of the draught beer experience, both visually and in its effect on taste and aromas.

"The foam created by pouring a beer acts as a net for many of the volatiles in a beer. Volatiles are compounds that evaporate from beer to create its aromas, carried by its bubbles, such as hop oils, all kinds of yeast fermentation by-products like alcohol, fusels and fruity esters, spices, or other additions."

Therefore, getting that rich, dense foam is not just about making sure your pint looks the part. Visual appeal aside, a proper pour ensures carbonation is preserved, keeping both flatness and excess fizziness at bay. The hoppy aromas will also maximised, transporting you straight to your favourite Irish bar.

Most importantly of all, your taste buds will thank you. If poured correctly, the pint will retain its smooth, complex character, with all the subtler notes of chocolate, vanilla and coffee present and correct. But how do you go about it?

According to the "In friend groups the world over, there’s been much debate around whether a can of Guinness Draught should be poured at a 45-degree angle or using the 'hard pour' method.

"With both methods, all you need to do is follow four simple steps. You pull, you pour, it settles, and you enjoy! However, it’s the method of pouring that’s up for interpretation."

"Some believe it’s all about the classic 45-degree angle, pouring into a glass in one go before leaving to settle. However, others believe the magic lies in the hard pour, also known as 'the flip'. Using a clean can, flip the can upside down into the glass, lifting out slowly as the liquid rises to meet it."

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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