Going Nitro
Yes, you too can have nitro at home in your fridge. Any beer that you can buy in the store can be turned into nitro. The steps are simple and the equipment is not that expensive. The regulator and faucet can be purchased for about $70. It’s the N2 gas that’s expensive averaging about $6/cartridge, which lasts for one 64oz growler (includes infusion and nitro push for the entire 64 ounces).
The best faucet for the money is the Intertap forward sealing faucet for about $20 for the chrome plated version (see Amazon Link below). There is also the stainless steel and the flow control Intertap Faucets available (see Amazon Link below) if you so prefer those. I find the chrome version works just fine. The Intertap faucet is one of the neatest faucets on the market as you can swap out the tips, such as a diffuser with a barbed tip for growler fills! The Intertap faucet comes with a smooth open tip for standard CO2 pours. The diffuser is sold separately for $15 (see Amazon link below). The total for the forward sealing faucet and the diffuser is $35, much cheaper than most stout faucets. The regulator that accepts 3/8 threaded CO2 or 3/8 threaded N2 cartridges can be purchased for $35 and does a great job at incrementally adjusting the pressure of the beer (see Amazon Link below). It can be hooked to threaded gas in connections and ball lock fittings. The N2 gas varies in price depending on where it is purchased. The N2 gas can also be purchased on Amazon (see link below). The most important note is you will need a growler and lid that can hold up to at least 30 psi (50 psi is better). I use my 64 oz ManCan for the nitro tap. It is also important to mention that only a lid with a threaded gas-in or ball lock connection will work with the nitro regulator.
How: It all starts with buying your favorite beer that you want on nitro…I tend to like big BBA stouts that range from 10-15%. You can fill your nitro mini keg with the growler fill or from cans/bottles. In my case, sometimes I can only get the big BBA stouts in 22oz bottles or 4 pack bottles. As I mention in other parts of this blog you will need five 12 oz bottles or cans to top off the mini-keg. Once the mini-keg is filled, it’s time for the magic. Be sure the beer is chilled. Hook up the faucet (with diffuser attached) and the regulator (in the off position) with the N2 already inserted into the regulator. Crank up the pressure to 20 psi and shake the mini-keg (in a circular motion) for about 30 seconds. The nitro infusion has begun with the 20 psi allowing the N2 bubbles to go into the beer. Shaking the can helps the N2 bubbles get into the beer faster. Allow 12 hours, with the pressure at 20 psi or above, for a full infusion. After 12 hours, turn off the regulator. Finally grab your favorite nitro glass and open the faucet and let the N2 goodness fill your glass. The pressure will drop from 20 psi to almost zero as the initial N2 beer is filled. Once the pressure approaches 0 psi, crank the pressure back up to 10 psi and maintain that pressure for pushing the beer until the mini-keg blows. I find that if these steps are followed, one N2 cartridge will last for about 64 ounces of beer, which includes infusion and pushing of the beer.
