Guinness — the Irish stout brand famous for its cascading nitrogen pour — entered the ready-to-drink coffee market with a product that applies the same widget-can nitrogen technology to cold brew coffee. The Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee can contains a pressurized nitrogen widget (the same mechanism used in Guinness cans since 1989) that releases a surge of nitrogen gas when opened, creating a creamy, velvety, cascading foam head atop cold brew coffee. Here's everything you need to know — including the one thing Guinness can't deliver that Puroast can.
The nitrogen widget is a small hollow plastic sphere inside the can. When the can is sealed, a small amount of liquid nitrogen is added, which vaporizes and pressurizes the widget. When you crack open the can, the pressure differential causes the widget to release a jet of nitrogen bubbles into the liquid — producing the signature cascade and creamy head. Unlike CO₂ (used in most carbonated drinks), nitrogen bubbles are much smaller, producing a silkier, less acidic mouthfeel. This is the same mechanism that makes Guinness stout feel smoother than a standard lager.
The Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee contains: cold brew coffee, water, nitrogen, and skim milk (in the latte version) or black coffee only (in the black version). ABV: 0% (it's a non-alcoholic coffee product — not to be confused with Guinness stout). Caffeine: approximately 150–165mg per can. Calories: approximately 35–110 calories depending on the variant. The cold brew base is sourced from Colombian and Ethiopian coffee blends.
| Feature | Guinness Nitro Cold Brew | Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew | Puroast Cold Brew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Canned RTD | Tap/canned | Home-brewed |
| pH | ~5.0 | ~5.0 | 5.74+ |
| Nitrogen | Widget can ✅ | Tap/can ✅ | Home nitro kit |
| Low Acid Verified | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ NC A&T |
| Antioxidants | Standard | Standard | 5X more |
You don't need a Guinness can to get nitro cold brew at home. A home nitro cold brew kit (iSi whipper or dedicated nitro coffee maker like a NitroPress or Royal Brew) lets you infuse your own cold brew with nitrogen. Here's the process: (1) Brew Puroast cold brew concentrate at a 1:4 ratio (1 cup coarse-ground coffee to 4 cups cold filtered water) — steep 18–24 hours in the fridge. (2) Strain through a paper filter. (3) Pour into your nitro charger. (4) Charge with a nitrogen cartridge. (5) Dispense into a glass without ice. The result: creamy, velvety, low-acid nitro cold brew with pH 5.74+ — something no canned product on the market can match.
No. Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee is a non-alcoholic ready-to-drink coffee product. It uses the same nitrogen widget technology as Guinness stout but contains no alcohol — only cold brew coffee, water, nitrogen, and (in some variants) skim milk.
No. Nitrogen infusion changes the mouthfeel and perceived smoothness of cold brew but does not change the pH. A peer-reviewed 2018 study (Rao & Fuller, Scientific Reports) confirmed cold brew pH is comparable to hot brew regardless of nitrogen infusion. The bean's roasting process determines true acidity.
Approximately 150–165mg of caffeine per can — comparable to a large drip coffee. This is significantly more caffeine than Guinness stout (which contains approximately 30mg per pint).
Yes. A home nitro cold brew kit (NitroPress, Royal Brew Nitro, or iSi whipper with nitrogen cartridges) allows you to make your own nitro cold brew at home. Use Puroast cold brew concentrate for a genuinely low-acid nitro result.
A small hollow plastic sphere pre-charged with liquid nitrogen. When the can is opened, the pressure differential causes the widget to release a jet of nitrogen bubbles into the coffee, producing the signature cascade and creamy head — the same technology used in Guinness stout cans since 1989.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. If you have health conditions related to caffeine sensitivity, acid reflux, or GERD, please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making dietary changes.
