RP & Associates, Inc

5 Steps to Pouring the Perfect Draft

Pouring a beer from the draft system seems simple – and it is. To achieve the best quality pour, be sure to keep these simple steps in mind when pouring:

1. Start with a clean glass:

Using clean glasses may seem like a no-brainer, but busy nights can wear down even the experienced bartender and cause them to overlook a few things. Glassware washed in low temperature machines are sanitized with chemicals rather than high heat. This type of sanitation may leave lipstick marks or fingerprints, and can also leave chlorine deposits that will kill the beers foamy head. If a high temp dishwasher is not being used, take extra care to make sure that all glasses are completely rinsed and cleaned.

2. Hold the glass at an angle:

When pouring a beer, experts suggest holding the glass at about a 45 degree angle. Open the tap quickly and fully; the beer should hit the middle of the glass and slide down the side to the bottom. This prevents too much head from developing too quickly. Once to glass is 1/2 to 2/3 of the way full, stop pouring and hold the glass upright.

3. Look for the right amount of foam:

A little head on a beer is a good thing. It helps the drinker notice more of the flavors and aroma of the draft a they take the first sip. Aim for about a half-inch of head in a pint glass, and a little more in other types of glass. Adding distance between the tap and the glass will create more of a foamy head.

4. Take your time: Some beers require more time for the perfect pour. Guinness experts and enthusiasts recommend using the double-pour method for the thick and nitrogenous stout. Pouring the beer 2/3 of the way full and then waiting a good 30 seconds before filling the rest helps the nitrogen bubbles in the beer settle. Guinness enthusiasts swear that this method produces the perfect amount of head and the best tasting Guinness.

5. Assess the final product:

Before serving the beer, take a look: does it have the right amount head? Is it the right color? Does it smell the way a good beer should? If anything is off, it could be a sign of a problem with the tap system or the beer itself and needs to be investigated.

Pouring the perfect draft beer requires attention to detail and consistency. Even on busy nights, take the time to care for each beer being poured. Making sure you have a healthy tap system and following the 5 easy steps will give you the perfect pour every time, and your customers will love you for it.

Top 5 Spirit World Records

Guiness Book of Records removed many categories from their book including "Highest Blood Alcohol Content" which appeared in the 1979 edition of the book, but there are still other spirit related records.

1. Greatest Distillery Mouser
The femail tortoisesehll named Towser caught an estimated 28,899 mice at the Glenturrat Distillery in UK. For 24 years she helped keep catch mice that were eager to eat the grain in the barley store. Today a statute of her stands outside the distillery and a paw print in her honor is printed on every the company's highland Liquor

2. Most Expensive Cognac
Have about £1,000,000 burning a hole in your pocket? If so, you can spend your $ on Henri IV Cognac Grande Champagne. It's been aged for 100 years and the bottle is dipped in 24k gold, platinum, and decorated with over 6,000 diamonds.

3. Largest Mojito
It was made in Italy, in 2012, with a total volume of 2,100 litres. The massive mojito contained 300 litres of rum, 120kg of brown sugar, 25kg of mint, 240kg of lime, 1,200kg of ice, and 600 litres of sparkling water. Once the record was confirmed, the party really started and the eager crowd began to down the history making Mojito.

4. Most Cocktails Shaken at the Same Time
For thier 100th store grand opening, a Belgium hardware store set the record for shaking 970 cocktails at the same time.

5. Most Cocktails Mixed in One Hour
A New York Cocktail Mixer made 1,003 cocktail in 60 minutes. It was at the Empire State Building in 2011, and each drink had four ingredients: fresh fruit juice, a couple falvored syrups, and vodka.

8 Things Productive People Do During the Workday

No matter where you work or what you do, you're always looking for ways to be more productive. Oversized coffee mugs and 3 page to-do lists may not be the answer. It's time to put an end to ridiculously long emails and pick up a few new habits, or perhaps revisit old ones.

Nothing beats having a super productive day at work. But simply checking tasks off of your to-do list doesn't mean you're working efficiently. Don't mistake doing more things for doing things that actually increase productivity. In fact, doing fewer things each day can actually increase your productivity.

Here are eight ways you can eliminate unnecessary tasks and focus on what is really important:

1. Create a smaller to do list. Your goal shouldn't be to cram as many tasks as possible into eight hours. There really isn't anything productive about putting together a checklist with a slew of tasks. Take a less-is-more approach to your to-do list by only focusing on accomplishing things that really matter.
2. Take breaks. That ache that fills your brain after powering through several hours worth of work isn't a good feeling - it's your brain using up glucose. Do yourself a favor and remove yourself from your work perodically. Take a walk, have a snack, or meditate. Your brain will thank you, and you'll return to work with higher energy and focus levels.
3. Follow the 80/20 rule. Did you know that 80 percent of your results come from only 20 percent of what you do each day? Eliminate the things that have a minimal effect on your overall productivity, and you're left with the tasks that achieve 80 percent of your desired results.
4. Start your day by focusing on yourself. Waking up and checking your emails allows others to dictate how you start your day. Instead, take time to focus on yourself. Have a nice breakfast, excercise, or catch up on the news. You'll find yourself better prepared to respond to people and get work done.
5. Take on harder tasks earlier in the day. Save the busy work for later in the day when the afternoon slump hits. Take advantage of your brain while it's fresh and knock-out your most challenging work.
6. Pick up the phone. Email has created poor communication habits. Sure, there are times when email is the most convienent method of communication. But if an email chain goes beyond two replies, it's time to pick up the phone. You'll save time and get more done.
7. Create a system. When you find things that are damaging your daily productivity, create a system for managing them. Instead of getting distracted from your important tasks by checking your email throughout the day, plan time slots for managing your emails. Don't let the little things distract you from what's important.
8. Don't confuse productivity with laziness. A number of time-saving methods - like meetings and emails - are actually just ways to avoid doing actual work. Sheer laziness is the number one contributor to lost productivity. Place your focus on the things that matter most, and do them as efficiently as possible.

Four Things to Do During a Slow Bar Shift

If you’re constantly pouring drinks, wiping down glasses, and hardly have a second to breathe before pouring that next Jack and Coke, keep doing what you’re doing. Most bartenders, however, know what it’s like to experience a slow shift. Instead of staring into the TV while wiping the same spot on the counter for 30 minutes, here are 4 things you can do during a slow shift.

1. Prepare for the Busier Shift
   • Wash an extra rack of glasses. Glasses that are used less frequently tend to collect dust, so eliminate that problem before it gets busy. 
   • Prep garnishes, such as lemons, limes, and oranges.
   • Research and learn new drinks. Give yourself an edge over your fellow bartenders.
   • Ask a manager if you can help with anything around the restaurant. There is always something that can be done to help the overall operation of the establishment.
2. Sales and Marketing
   • Develop a new weekly drink promotion to excite customers and increase sales. 
   • Think up a new idea for a tent design or other in-venue advertising. Be sure to think out of the box and use images and language relevant to your bar and its customers.
3. Clean, Clean, Clean
   • Customers will notice dust and grime on glasses, bottles, or the counter. Create a pristine environment for your customers by using down time to pay special attention to the small details. 
   • Make a checklist of what needs to be wiped down and go through it whenever time permits. Be sure to include:
     • Glasses
     • Bottles
     • Countertops
     • POS terminals
     • Beverage Gun
     • Pour Spouts
4. Engage Customers
   • Build a personal relationship with your existing customers. Whenever you get the chance, take the time to sit down have engaging and meaningful conversation with your loyal guests. Use social media to engage your customers even when they’re not at your venue. Share something interesting that’s going on today; you’ll keep your customers thinking about you and let them know that you’re doing the same.