Picking the Perfect Beer Glass

There’s been quite a bit of attention paid to the type of wine glass to use when enjoying a chosen vintage. Recently, during happy hour at my neighborhood pub, however, I learned that choosing the right beer glass is essential when drinking my favorite brew.

A Unique Experience

“Choosing a beer glass is as important as choosing a wine glass,” said Brian Johnson, owner of BJ Willy’s Restaurant and Pub in West Linn, Oregon. “The right beer glass actually brings out specific flavors and aromas of a particular brew.”

The kind of glass you use helps control elements like portion size, serving temperature, and the visual presentation, which includes color and aroma. With the right glass, drinking your favorite beer becomes a unique experience.

It’s All In Your Head

One of the most important elements regarding the beer glass involves what kind of head develops inside of it. The right beer glass allows for suitable head retention and the release of volatiles. Volatiles are compounds that, when they evaporate, give beer its distinct aroma and flavor. The bigger the head, the better the beer since the head is what traps the volatiles inside the glass.

A Few Choices

Putting beer in the proper glass will help it to breathe, like wine, and the glass you choose depends on the style of beer. “A basic guideline is the stronger the beer, the smaller the glass,” Brian told me on my recent trip. The different styles of beer glass include:

Goblet
A goblet is basically a big bowl, similar to a tulip glass or snifter. The portion of heavy or malty beer should fit nicely inside of it.

Mug or Stein
This kind of beer glass has a lot of room for beer, with a wide opening and stout handle. Made of thick glass, it’s perfect for clinking together and singing loudly with beer buddies.

Pilsner flute
This attractive beer glass is tall and slender, with an inverted cone shape for maximum aroma.

Weizen
Similar to a Pilsner, this glass is wide in the middle and narrow at the top and made for drinking wheat beer. The Weizen helps the drinker focus on the beer’s aroma, carbonation and stout head.

Pint glass
A pint glass is like a pair of sneakers in the fashion world – they work, but they don’t look particularly fantastic. The basic pint glass is widest at the top and tapers down, holding 16 and 20 ounces. It’s a favorite because it’s durable, sturdy and good for many kinds of beer. For a slight change, try a British-style pint glass, which bulges near the top and adds to your beer-drinking experience. The beers to be enjoyed in a pint glass include pale ales, bitters, porters and stouts.

This list isn’t exhaustive, especially if you drink beer in Europe. Countries like Belgium match particular kinds of beer with specially-made glasses. The logos on both the bottle and glass also match, providing consumers with optimal beer enjoyment.

Beer Glass Myths

While talking with Brian at BJ Willy’s, I was surprised by the number of myths about beer glasses that I had believed to be true.

• Don’t freeze a beer glass. If you freeze the mug before pouring, the condensation will melt and water down your beer.
• Don’t tilt the glass. The more head, the better. If you want to release some carbonation before drinking, pour a bit and let the head foam and settle, then pour some more.
• Not all beers are best cold. Like wine, different beers are better at different temperatures. Stronger beers should be served warmer than weaker ones, and the darker the beer, the warmer it can be to maximize flavor. Set it out on the countertop for about ten minutes before serving.
• Beer glasses do not go in the dishwasher. For best results, hand-wash and air dry.

The next time you head out for pizza and a refreshing brewed beverage, try requesting a particular glass – see if you notice a difference!

Kelly Wilson is a freelance writer and author of Live Cheap and Free! Strategies to Thrive in Tough Economic Times. You can read more about saving money at www.wilsonwrites.com.

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