Lukr Stout Nozzle vs. Handpump

Marlowe Artisanal Ales brewer/owner Zac Ross pouring a stout through a Lukr faucet with a stout nozzle.

Despite being a noted traditionalist and sometimes pedant, I’m not a total Luddite. For example, though I don’t really care for anything but traditional British styles from a handpump, I recognize other styles, even some lagers, can taste pretty good from them. I even wrote an article about cask lager that Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine was kind enough to publish.

So, I didn’t immediately scoff at Marlowe Artisanal Ales owner/brewer Zac Ross when he told me he got a Lukr Stout nozzle. My interest was piqued for several reasons, and I was getting thirsty thinking about them.

First, I didn’t even know Lukr made this nozzle. The Czech company is well-known in the industry for their faucets that create decadent, “wet” foam, and they’re almost exclusively associated with lager. Particularly Czech styles. It’s unlike traditional faucets here in the US, and it takes a bit of skill to master its use.

Lukr faucet with a stout nozzle.

To be honest, I can see a Stout tasting pretty good from the standard Lukr faucet. However, the company created this attachment specifically for use with nitrogenated beer. They call it “Lukr Stout” and note it can be used with other “dark and semi-dark beers.”

Part of the pitch is that it creates smoother, creamier foam. But Lukr faucets already create smooth and creamy foam. It’s their thing. Is this just turning it up to eleven?

Perhaps most important is the nozzle’s ability to facilitate the cascading effect associated with nitro beer as it settles.

Zac was up for doing some side-by-sides, and we explored the different presentations of an Irish-style Dry Stout he just released. This was with the very important caveat that the beer wasn’t nitrogenated. So, further taste-testing will be needed. But for now, this is what I’ve got.

The first pour I had was from the sparklered handpump. And it was in perfect balance at that ideal cellar temperature. It was a smooth ride that was really enjoyable.

Next was from the Lukr stout nozzle. The beer from this line was served colder, and the most notable difference was the mouthfeel. It did present a little bit more of the roasty character typical of an Irish-style Dry Stout. The foam was great, though without the nitrogen, it lacked the theater of the cascading beer.

Finally, out of curiosity, I asked Zac for a pour from the Lukr faucet with the standard nozzle used with lager. The foam seemed similar to the pour from the Stout version, but the mouthfeel and taste was different. It was a little pricklier on the palate and was making me think of Schwarzbier.

The taste test was fun and the beer was really good. I’m definitely curious about trying a nitro beer poured from the nozzle, though I’m not convinced it will win me over.

I adore Lukr, and I appreciate their efforts to innovate and grow, but I’d rather have well-brewed, well-cellared, and well-poured cask beer from a handpump when I’m in need of a smooth, cascading pint.

That said, this could be an instance where I don’t cringe as hard when I see a British-style dimple mug used with a Lukr faucet. Personally, I wouldn’t pair the two. Tulip pint glass all the way.