Bay bar staff battle it out in Draught Masters competition

There are nine steps in pouring the perfect beer according to competitors in the New Zealand Draught Masters Competition.PHOTO/Supplied.

There are a few crucial steps involved in pouring the perfect beer according to two Bay locals who have just competed in a draught pouring competition.

To start you must sacrifice the first few drops of beer. At a 45-degree angle a natural formation of the head begins. Next is the removal where the tap needs to be shut off quickly, the overflow of the foam is then beheaded and the glass is cleaned. Finally, if the foam at the top measures two fingers, then it is likely to be perfect.

Frankie Mcguire from Mount Maunganui and Larni Pitman from Te Puke were flown to Auckland yesterday to compete in the Stella Artois New Zealand Draught Masters Championship.

There were 15 finalists from all over the country vying for the number one spot.

The competition involved finalists pouring the perfect beer in quickfire rounds, filtering down to just one winner who not only was crowned draught master but also won a trip to Belgium to visit the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven.

Originally from Scotland, Mcguire is the manager of Mount Social Club and has worked in hospitality for more than 20 years.

He had competed in other beer and liquor competitions but this was his first draught masters appearance.

Mcguire told the Bay of Plenty Times yesterday ahead of the competition that he was excited about the event and there was a great group of competitors.

"Everyone is really friendly and having fun but there is an underlying tone of competitiveness," he said.

He said he would be "over the moon" to take out the title and be able to visit Belgium but just the experience itself was "marvellous".

Larni Pitman had worked at Molly O'Connors in Te Puke for a year and a half and was new on the competitive bartending scene.

Three months after trying out for the competition, Pitman said she had forgotten about it until she received a call saying she was a finalist.

"I didn't know any of the steps to pouring a beer before this, but it's cool to see little old Te Puke being put on the map."

Pitman said she often practised her skill at work and the key to her success was to keep calm.