Quest for perfect pint

The hunt for the Bay's best Guinness pourer is on and Tauranga bartenders are doing their best to perfect the art in a bid to take out the coveted title of New Zealand's next Pint Master.

The NZ Pint Master competition is in its regional heats, with bartenders from Mt Maunganui RSA, Mt Mellick Restaurant and Bar, Rosie O'Grady's, Crown and Badger and the Rose and Thistle taking part.

Crown and Badger manager Lance Milne said the bar took part in the competition every year and two years ago came second in the regional heats, which covers the upper half of the North Island. Mr Milne said he was keen to return to the finalist level but it was up to the Guinness fans of Tauranga.

"It depends on customers," he said.

Mr Milne said the magic behind pouring a pint of Guinness required more technique and skill than some people thought: "If you pour it properly, it's all right. The taste alters when you pour it differently. There's a bit of technique required."

The bar already has a Guinness 100 pints club, so it appears to be doing all right with its pours so far.

Guinness fans are asked to score the bars they go to in order to find the ones which can pour the perfect pint.

There are 180 bars taking part.

Guinness fans have the chance to text or post in their vote for who they think is the best pint pourer and the regional finalists compete in the national championship in December.

The winner of "The Great New Zealand Guinness Experience" and a friend will travel the length of the country to enjoy a pint at each of the regional finalist's Guinness bars, culminating in another Perfect Pint with the national Pint Master champion.

Hayden Abercrombie, Guinness brand manager, said a bad pour could affect not only the taste but the whole drinking experience: "The Pint Master competition encourages bartenders to strive for perfection and consumers to recognise the unique skill involved in pouring a pint of Guinness."

Entries close on Wednesday.