Widget (beer)

Floating Widget is a method for filling cans of beer, which is to provide a foaming like fresh draft ( English ) beers.

The widget is a 3 cm large, hollow plastic ball, which is provided with two holes. The larger hole the ball in the manufacturing process with nitrogen is filled under high pressure, and then sealed in the box given. The box itself is provided in the filling process with a small overpressure with respect to the normal atmosphere. The smaller hole in the widget now represents a predetermined breaking point which is dimensioned so as to release the nitrogen, when the entire can is opened, but still holds tightly, as long as the box is closed, and more pressure than the normal atmosphere is.

When opening, the pressure in the can, the weak point on widget opens, and the nitrogen is released within a few seconds from the small hole of the widget, which is now moving through the box. This much creamy foam is produced. The beer should be poured immediately after opening in a glass, because otherwise it slightly overflows due to foaming.

Floating Widgets are mainly found in cans of Guinness and Kilkenny Irish brands, but also in many other cans Irish, British or French production.