New lager hits trendy Dublin bars

At £3.50 (€4.45) a pint, Arc lager is certainly not cheap, but punters can be assured they won't end up with lukewarm beer no matter how slowly they drink.

The introduction of Arc at trendy bars in Dublin this month has enabled drinkers to guzzle pints of superchilled lager thanks to a new technology introduced by Bass.

The system cools lager to subzero temperatures under pressure to make sure it doesn't freeze, it then uses the pouring process to form ice crystals around CO2 gas bubbles in the glass.

During the preparation, the temperature of Arc lager can go as low as minus eight degrees centigrade. Freezing is prevented by circulating a type of anti-freeze called Glycol in the cooler.

A customised dispensing system, specially designed for Arc, is automatic and pours lager at the press of a button. It also shines a light through the glass to catch the attention of drinkers.

The first stage of the pouring process involves a pint glass being rapidly chilled by a water jet dispensed by the cooler. Arc is then dispensed at a sub-zero temperature into the rotating glass.

During the pouring process, an ultrasonic shock is given to the beer nozzle causing hundreds of tiny bubbles to form in the beer. Because of the low temperature, liquid ice crystals form around these bubbles giving the pint a full head of icy crystals.

Unlike most other lagers, Arc contains 100 per cent carbon dioxide rather than a mixture of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and other gases.

This doesn't affect the taste but reflects a move to more bubbly pints, says Mr Joe Ryan, technical controller with Tennants Ireland.

Finally, condensation on the pint glass is removed to enhance the presentation of the pint. The whole pouring process takes about 90 seconds.

It costs £3,500 to install the cooler and pouring device in a pub. The machines take up a relatively large amount of space under the bar.

Bass claims that, even after 20 minutes, a pint of Arc is still colder than the temperature at which most other premium lagers are served. And this writer can validate that claim, after ending up with a "blue" hand after holding a pint for about five minutes last week.

Readers who want to try the new lager should assure they have a place to put their pint so they don't have to stand in a crowded bar clutching their freezing pint. But a pint of Arc, served in its own special glass, certainly looks pretty good and the flashy pouring process is sure to attract the attention of younger drinkers.

Bass says the beer is selling well in Belfast and in Britain, where it has been introduced over the past year. And it is optimistic about its debut in the Republic this month.

A Bass spokeswoman told The Irish Times that demand was ahead of the company's forecasts.

But as an ale drinker, this writer found it rather bland compared to other premium lagers that have more of an aftertaste.

To be fair, Arc would probably be more appetising in the heat of summer, rather than a cold Irish winter day.