[cstreit]

Jim,

Actually the widget isn't that hi-tech. I did some consulting work for Guiness several years ago and asked them about the widget, being a die-hard Guiness man m'self... (I have a t-shirt signed by Fogel the brewmeister)...

The widget is a hollow device with a VERY small hole in it. When bottled, some beer and pressure is forced into the widget though this hole. When you open the bottle or can, the pressure differential allows that pressure inside the widget to escape. The stuff escaping from such a small hole makes the very fine foam head.

Now the hi-tech part? They told me the little hole is made by a laser. I never figured out if they were pulling my leg on that one, I think they were serious.

Long live the Guiness!