Guinness at Wetherspoon

No black marks for crack team serving the black stuff.

Wetherspoon’s pubs have been judged to have a perfect record, when it comes to serving the perfect pint of Guinness

Wetherspoon’s pubs have a 100-per-cent pass rate, when it comes to serving the perfect pint of Guinness.

The company is always proud to provide the best value, quality and service possible to customers – and every single eligible Wetherspoon pub has achieved the highly coveted Guinness accreditation.

Diageo, supplier of Guinness to Wetherspoon, has been working with the pubs’ teams for nine years, ensuring that staff have everything they need to provide the perfect pint of its product.

The Guinness accreditation is an annual assessment, which includes unannounced visits from a Diageo assessor.

Achieved

For the first time since being introduced, the accreditation has been achieved by all Wetherspoon pubs in England, Scotland and Wales (the accreditation does not include Northern Ireland or Ireland).

Wetherspoon’s reputation and commitment to serving the perfect pint of beer are second to none – and the partnership with Diageo continues to ensure that the dedication for perfection is rigorously tested, to serve customers a great pint of ‘the black stuff ’.

The Diageo assessor visits each pub, unannounced, to purchase a pint of Guinness and check that it is dispensed correctly.

Observing the six-step guidelines for a perfect pour, it takes

119.5 seconds to pour and serve draught Guinness.

• Step 1 Take a cool, dry, Guinness-branded glass.

• Step 2: Hold the glass firmly at 45° under the tap.

• Step 3: Pull the handle fully forwards, towards you, slowly straightening the glass as it fills, stopping when it is three-quarters full.

• Step 4 Leave the surge to settle, allowing the creamy head to form. The head should be 10–15mm high.

• Step 5: Top up the glass by pushing the tap handle away from you. Stop when the head is proud of the rim. There should be no overspill.

• Step 6 Present the perfect pint to the customer with a steady hand, logo facing forwards.

Assessors also check the bar and cellar dispense equipment to ensure that it is clean and well maintained.

Any failure in any area would lead to a failed accreditation – and the assessor would provide corrective coaching and highlight the reason for the failure.

Each assessor will leave a Guinness accreditation plaque with each successful pub to proudly display.

Proud

Wetherspoon’s head of retail audit, Mark Latham, said:

“We are proud to have achieved a 100-per-cent pass rate, with every pub gaining its accreditation. It’s a fantastic collective achievement.”

He continued: “Before the annual accreditation, Wetherspoon issues all bar employees with training, including a video on how to pour the perfect pint.

“This is followed by a knowledge quiz, where staff need to gain 100 per cent to pass this annual (as well as new-starter) training.

“The training is not just to get the accreditation, yet helps to ensure that customers are served a perfect pint of Guinness, in a branded glass, every time.”

Quality

Mark added: “The Guinness accreditation initiative is a welcome addition to our own regular high-standard quality checks.

“We have a team of auditors visiting every Wetherspoon pub’s cellar, at least once a month, to ensure that standard operating procedures are being adhered to and that high standards of quality and hygiene are being achieved and maintained.”

Guinness GB’s head of marketing, Nick Payman, said:

“Guinness’s quality is the cornerstone of our brand, and we’re absolutely delighted to see J D Wetherspoon placing such emphasis on maintaining those same high standards.

“It’s this commitment to quality which drives our continued success, bringing more people into the Guinness family and, by extension, through the doors of Wetherspoon’s pubs.”

Click here to see how Wetherspoon serve the perfect pint of Guinness