You cannot use a 70/30 gas mix for lager. The 70/30 gas mix, which consists of 70% nitrogen and 30% CO2, is specifically recommended for certain drinks like Guinness, Tetley’s Smoothflow, and John Smith’s Extra Smooth. These beers require a higher proportion of nitrogen to create a smoother and creamier texture with a cascading effect when poured.
Lagers, on the other hand, are typically carbonated using 100% CO2 gas. CO2 provides the desired level of carbonation and helps to maintain the crisp and refreshing taste of lagers. Using a 70/30 gas mix for lagers would result in an incorrect carbonation level and potentially affect the taste and overall quality of the beer.
It’s important to note that different beer styles have specific gas requirements to achieve their intended characteristics. While a 70/30 gas mix may be suitable for some beers, it is not suitable for lagers. When it comes to lagers, using 100% CO2 is the recommended gas mix to ensure proper carbonation and taste.
In my personal experience, I have come across instances where the wrong gas mix was used for a particular beer style, leading to disappointing results. For example, a bar I once visited mistakenly used a 70/30 gas mix for a lager tap, resulting in a beer that lacked the desired carbonation and tasted somewhat off. It was clear that the incorrect gas mix had adversely affected the beer’s quality.
To summarize, when it comes to lagers, it is best to use 100% CO2 gas for carbonation. The 70/30 gas mix is specifically recommended for certain beers like Guinness, Tetley’s Smoothflow, and John Smith’s Extra Smooth to achieve a smoother texture. Adhering to the recommended gas mix for each beer style ensures optimal carbonation and taste.