Ján Píry checks the purity of the beer layers. (source: SITA)
A CURIOUS record was set in the western Slovak town of Senica on March 9 when eight different beers were layered in one glass: Master, Birell, Pilsner Urquell, Šariš, Velkopopovický Kozel, Šariš Red, Gambrinus and Topvar. The record setters, eight brewers from Topvar, layered the glass by colour by using four light beers, one half-dark beer and three dark beers, five of which were draught beers joined by three bottled beers.
The glass, holding 0.3 litres, maintained its coloured layers after it was carefully and gradually filled, and each beer could be visually differentiated. This was the basis of the new Slovak record. The main initiator of the record attempt was brewer Ján Píry. He said, the Slovenské rekordy website told The Slovak Spectator, that his work in addition to mixing hops, malts and yeasts was “about communication with people” such as restaurant managers, hoteliers, bartenders and publicans.
Píry explained that the record attempt required knowledge to decide the best order in which to layer the beers in the glass so that the brands and types did not mix and would maintain separate layers. While Píry was using his physical skill to carefully pour the beers, the other team members checked the temperatures of the beers and cheered the main “hero” of the competition.
Tension culminated in the next hour as to whether the layers would remain separated and that single glass of beer became one of the most photographed in the world by the media as well as by brewery workers admiring the result. The record was certified by the Book of Slovak records.
Along with the certificate, the Book of Records noted that achieving this result was very demanding and it may not be beaten anytime soon, while also noting that the competition proved that each beer has specific features, in addition to its name and taste, which differentiate it from others.
For more information see www.slovenskerekordy.sk.
