If you’re looking for the perfect March drink, with an Irish twist, the black and tan is an all-beer cocktail that is low-key enough for a pub crawl, and classy enough for entertaining. The layered beer creates an Insta-worthy visual appeal, while the creamy texture and subtly sweet undertones are hearty and satisfying.

What makes a black and tan great? Great beer of course! And, an impeccable pour technique.

If you’ve never made a black and tan before, chances are that you’ve seen a pour go wrong and became intimidated or frustrated. Read on to learn how to get the pour right.

Choosing beer for a black and tan

You need two beers for a black and tan, a stout and a lager.

For the stout, you’ll want something with a creamy finish, similar to the cold foam you get at your favourite coffee shop. Excellent choices include a Guinness or Murphy’s. A stout with a thin head will leave a pungent taste and is not the right choice for a black and tan.

For the lager, look for something with a honey or caramel colour and a slight malty flavour. Beers that are overly dry or bitter will become sour and harsh when layered with the stout.

How to pour a black and tan

Here’s what you need:

• 2 pint-size beer glasses or mugs, chilled

• Spoon, chilled

Start by pouring your lager in the bottom of the beer glasses. Allow the lager to settle before pouring the stout. The layering of the beer is created by the difference in viscosity between the lager and the stout. You may find it helpful to think of the lager as the foundation that the stout rests on top of.

Next, hold a spoon over the top of the glass and flip it upside down so that it creates a dome at a 45-degree angle. Slowly, pour the stout in a thin glaze over the spoon so that it flows onto the lager.

If the stout sinks into the lager instead of floating, you may need to use a different beer for your foundation.

Black and tan recipe

For the black and tan in the picture, I used a Guinness for the stout and a Farmers Lager from Barn Brew Co. for the lager.

• Pint of stout

• Pint of lager

Since a black and tan uses two beers, it’s a great way to share a pint with a friend!

Learn how to make your own tavern sign for your at-home bar.

My puppy can’t drink a black and tan, but she has her own black and tan bone to play with. See Apricot’s dog toys here.