Use A Beer Glass

I’m generally a beer snob. I love bottled beer and have only recently accepted cans. Either vessel really requires a beer glass for true enjoyment. Smell is a major influence on your taste buds so if you can’t smell it then you won’t be enjoying the full flavor of things. Drinking from a bottle won’t let your nose pick up the full spectrum of smells. Now a glass beer mug is the classic movie glass but you should really go for a beer glass based on the style.

Each style has brought about its own beer glass. The shapes and features compliment their intended style. You can find sets with the most popular styles fairly easily at Amazon or the local Walmart. Alternatively, you can buy the glasses at local breweries. They’ll sell glasses specifically made for their styles and you’ll generally get some neat logo glasses. Make sure to never wash these in the dishwasher as the paint will come off.

Now let’s look at a few types of glasses. 

Snifter:

Typically used for cognac or brandy snifters have gained popularity in the lighter side of alcohol. A snifter is best for stouts and strongly flavored beverages. The snifter is designed for maximum smell and flavor without heating up the beer. Its shape is great for bringing the aromas right to your nose. They are quite similar to a wine glass but have a deeper bowl like a goblet. The stems are generally thicker than wine glasses which doesn’t hurt since stronger beverages tend to have more alcohol. I actually prefer a snifter when drinking anything as the aromas really do come out. The glass below is from a local meadery, New Day Craft. Seriously try the Breakfast Magpie!

Beer Mug:

The classic beer mug is ingrained in the beer world. Its shape is a large glass cylinder with a handle. It has a sturdy sturdy frame and generally holds a lot of beer. The walls are thick for keeping things chilly and the handle keeps your body heat from the glass.  Many restaurants serve these chilled. I know some frown upon ice cold for some styles but I love my booze ice cold. It heats up to release more aromas eventually anyway. Beer mugs don’t have a specific style. The below Hacker-Pschorr mug holds a whopping 48oz or four full bottles.

Goblets:

A goblet brings out the thoughts of a toast at the king’s ball. The structure consists of a thick stem and a bowled top. The stems are typically longer than snifters but not as long as wine stems. Generally, they come with unique designs and lots of decorative paint. Remember they’re for the king! Sizes vary but the bowl generally holds a good amount of liquid. Goblets favor Belgian beers and those with thick malty heads. This Goblet is from Orval, a Belgian brewer.

Pint Glass:

The pint glass is very commonly used at many bars. It consists of a cylindrical shape with a taper toward the top. There is plenty of room beer and the head that is formed. Foamy pale ales and IPA’s work really well in these glasses. A set of these is quite cheap which is why most restaurants and bars use them. The glass below is actually a modified pint glass made especially for a Sam Adam’s Boston Lager.

In any case, pour your beer before drinking! Even a basic glass will enhance your flavors. Nothing is quite the same as a freshly poured beer from a keg but at least a poured beer brings out the aromas. At worst case go to a local Dollar Tree and you can usually find a few worthy beer glasses. If beer glasses are scarce you can always go with a wine glass. Remember it counts as beer money and beer money doesn’t count in the budget!