Getting a pint glass filled with fizzy ale when you ask for a beer in your local pub are long gone. Nowadays, decent pubs have just as many glasses as the beverages they offer. This phenomenon brings us to wonder: Will the glass type that you drink your beer from really matter?
The answer to that is yes. Just like wine, specific glasses pull out distinct beer flavors. Nobody says you have to look for the perfect lager glass for your Saturday night drinking. However, if you’re investing in an excellent craft beer, you might as well enjoy it in the best unique beer glassware possible.
The surge in unique beer glassware corresponds with an increase in demand for luxury and specialty brewing. Even beer companies want everyone to believe that each beer has its meticulously crafted glass, delicately designed to coax the finest out of the brew.
Does it look like a marketing gimmick to you? Perhaps. However, according to the first British Beer Sommelier of the Year, Jane Peyton, “The shape of a glass can affect the taste and drinking experience of a beer.”
Peyton elaborates that the rim is vital. The circumference of the glass influences how an individual tastes the beer. Narrow mouth rims favor sipping, and so the beer will first hit the front and sides portions of the tongue, where sweetness and acidity registers. Glasses with a broader mouth promote chugging, which guides the beer to the rear of the tongue where bitter flavors register.
Depending on the beer and personal taste, there is a vast array of unique beer glassware that may have a distinctive impact on beer, and here are some factors:
Presentation & Feel
Pouring a drink into the glass is like shaking someone’s hand. Depending on the curves and structure of the glass, this greeting could be gentle or awkward. It also lays the foundation for the whole drinking experience.
First, the glass should look appealing, nicely fits your hand, and highlight the distinctive color of the beer. From there, the structure must mildly curve to cater to excellent head retention while drinking.
Aroma
Proper glassware will also take a role in the essential process of aroma retention. Unlike pint glasses molded outwards, tulips and snifters bend inwards to maintain more aroma inside the glass. This intensity creates a grand welcome for the beer taste, whereas glasses with some headspace make it simple to take a giant whiff and collect the scent of the essential ingredients of the brew.
Taste
The structure of the glass also serves a function for taste appreciation. Outward-shaped glasses are designed for bigger, faster sips, while inward-shaped glasses encourage shorter sips that drop straight onto the tongue. Molding the glass inward will allow the drinker to entirely relish the scent of the drink and the intricacies of each sip.
Durability
As gorgeous glassware enhances your drinking experience, it must also withstand wear and tear. Many glasses are expensive, yet they crack even with the slightest dings. However, technological breakthroughs now offer durable and affordable alternatives.
Top-tier glasses can furnish the ideal mood for thoughtfully crafted beer, especially on special events. Apart from being visually satisfying, they are produced for specialized types of beer, just like glasses intended for specific types of wine. The aim to showcase the complexity of different beer types is something that enthusiasts are doing even more. Drink up!
