What’s in a beer glass? Well hopefully beer. That’s not what I’m getting at though. The craft beer movement is going strong. Beer drinkers are becoming more sophisticated. There are actually more than two dozen different types of beer glasses. Each type of glass is designed for optimizing the beer drinking experience of a specific style of beer. These variations are not just for visual presentation, but also to maximize and accentuate the flavour of the beer. Believe it or not, this is actually very old school. You need to keep in mind that beer making, drinking and enjoyment has been around for thousands of years. So naturally beer culture has had a crap tonne of time to develop. Different parts of the world, different styles of beer and glasses to go with them. Globalization has allowed us to bring it all together to enjoy.
A SPECIFIC BEER GLASS FOR A SPECIFIC TYPE OF BEER
A beer glass will affect the pour which in turn will affects the amount of the head of in the glass. The head is important to the flavour of a beer because it determines how much or little of the aromas of a particular beer come through. The shape of the glass will also affect temperature and carbonation retention. All of these variables will affect the flavour during the beer drinking experience as a whole. The right glass for the right beer will also help you appreciate what the brew master intended you to experience.
Certainly there have been other practical considerations over the millennia when crafting the right drinking vessel. Such as thick glass or stoneware found with Steins, Tumblers and Dimpled mugs. They are built to better withstand the passionate revelry that can come with rigorous beer consumption, but also to keep the beer cold. Another practical feature in the case of steins is the lid. This feature was added during the Black Plague and it’s purpose of the was to keep out flies. Which I’m sure folks appreciated. I know I would.
SOME RECOMMENDED BEER GLASSES
There are more than two dozen types of beer glasses. We’re definitely not saying you need to stock your cabinets with one of each kind. However we would like to suggest a few staples. The Nonic or English pint glass is probably the most versatile. It’s similar to your basic Conical pint glass ( or Shaker) only it has an outward bulge near the top. The bulge makes it easier to hold the glass but it also serves to prevent the rim of the glass from chipping if it falls on it’s side. The wide mouth does a fine job of releasing the aroma. The Pilsner is great for well, pilsners! But in fact it’s great for any beer where you want to sustain carbonation as long as possible. It’s also good for temperature retention.
The Teku seems the current all purpose go to in the craft beer movement. However I would sooner go with with a stemmed Tulip Pint Glass as it’s shape is designed to enhance flavour and aroma delivery. As much of the craft beer movement focuses on these two factors in greater subtlety and detail. It’s fabulous for I.P.A.’S. for obvious reasons. Also depending on how you hold it you can preserve or gently warm the temperature of your beer. It’s handy glass to have around for general craft beer exploration.
Lastly, make sure to keep a couple sturdier beer glasses in the cupboard for those more rambunctious times. I’m a fan of the Dimpled mug myself.