The official two-part method
How to Pour a Perfect Guinness
Use a clean, dry, cool tulip glass. Hold it at 45 degrees and aim the nozzle at the harp. Pour to three-quarters full, let the surge settle for 60–80 seconds, then return the glass upright and top it off until the head is just domed.
This draught guide follows instructions published by Guinness and the Guinness Storehouse. Individual taps and serving conditions may vary.
The Two-Part Pour: Six Steps
Guinness's official directions consistently describe an angled first pour, a pause for the surge to settle, and an upright top-off. Here is that method without unsupported shortcuts or invented technical rules.
1.Prepare a clean glass
Use a clean, dry, cool tulip glass.
The Guinness Storehouse begins its method with a cool tulip glass, while Guinness's FAQ specifies that the glass should be clean and dry.
2.Angle and aim
Hold the glass at 45 degrees and aim the nozzle at the harp.
Keep the glass at that angle as you begin the first pour. This is the position described in the official Storehouse guide.
3.Pour to three-quarters
Continue the first pour until the glass is about three-quarters full.
The Storehouse describes this point as the top of the harp; Guinness's FAQ describes it as three-quarters full. Stop the first pour there.
4.Allow the surge to settle
Set the glass down and wait until the surge settles—typically 60–80 seconds.
Do not confuse the settling pause with the full serving time. The Guinness Storehouse describes the complete six-step process as taking approximately 119.5 seconds.
5.Top off upright
Return the glass upright and top it off.
Continue until the glass is full and the head is just domed, as described by Guinness's official FAQ.
6.Serve the finished pint
The two-part pour is complete once the head is just domed.
The Guinness Storehouse presents these actions as a six-step process that takes approximately 119.5 seconds.
60–80 Seconds vs. 119.5 Seconds
These numbers describe different things. The Guinness Storehouse says the pint typically settles for 60–80 seconds. The same official source describes the complete six-step process as taking approximately 119.5 seconds.
Official Sources
This page uses primary Guinness guidance. The wording above stays within the actions and timings those sources publish.
Find your next pint
Once you know the method, explore community-rated Guinness pubs in New York. The rankings show the average community pour rating and sample size for each pub shown.
See community-rated Guinness pubs in New YorkFrequently Asked Questions
How long should Guinness settle?
The Guinness Storehouse says the settling stage typically takes 60–80 seconds. Wait until the surge has settled before completing the top-off.
Why do people say a Guinness takes 119.5 seconds?
The Guinness Storehouse describes the complete six-step process as taking approximately 119.5 seconds. That number covers the full experience, not the settling pause alone.
What angle should you hold a Guinness glass?
Hold the glass at 45 degrees for the first pour and aim the nozzle at the harp. Return the glass upright for the top-off.
How full should the first Guinness pour be?
Guinness's FAQ says to stop at about three-quarters full. The Guinness Storehouse describes the same stage as pouring to the top of the harp.
What glass should you use for a Guinness pour?
Use a clean, dry, cool tulip glass. Those are the glass-preparation details given across Guinness's FAQ and Storehouse pouring guide.
What is the Guinness two-part pour?
It is a draught-pouring method with an initial angled pour, a settling pause, and an upright top-off that finishes with a just-domed head.
Published August 27, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026