At most bars and restaurants, beer is served in the same style shaker pint glass that has been around for years. But craft beer fans take their glassware serious and prefer to use specific glassware based on the style of beer. Check out some of my recommended craft beer glassware options here.
Using specific glassware is almost as old as beer itself. As each region created their own beer style or styles, glassware was developed with it. So historically, many beer drinkers were using style specific glassware without ever knowing it – it was just part of their culture.
But with hundreds of styles of beer, are we expected to have hundreds of different beer glasses to drink them? While many craft beer fans will have a full collection of glasses, it isn’t reasonable to think that a unique glass is required for every style.
So we have to decide if glassware is important at all and if it is, then what glassware should we have in our collection.
Why Use Proper Craft Beer Glassware?
There are many reasons to use style specific glassware but the most important is the glassware’s ability to increase the aroma and flavor. The shape of the glass, the thickness of the glass, and other factors of the glass bring out the best in each style.
For this reason, many taprooms are using better glassware to enhance their beer and the customer experience. So, when you find a brewery with nice glassware, please be cautious and do your best to prevent breaking it. It is much more expensive than cheap pint glasses.
And we can’t ignore the visual impact of the beer. Craft beer glassware makes the beer look better. The color, body, carbonation, and head all take on new life when poured into a glass with character.
So regardless of the reason or reasons, using proper craft beer glassware is all about heightening the experience of drinking a high quality beer.
Other Craft Beer Glassware Factors
I also have to warn you against the use of frozen or frosted glasses for beer. The ice crystals are bad for the beer. It prevents proper head, waters it down and keep it too cold. If you do come across a taproom, bar, or restaurant that uses frozen glassware for their beer, kindly ask for a room temperature glass.
Learn more about the proper temperature of beer here.
In the same way, dirty glassware is a common problem. If bubbles gather on the inside of the glass then the glass isn’t clean. In many cases, it is residue from the cleaner being used and probably isn’t harmful but it could impact the beer and that is a problem.
Treat the glassware well and it will treat your beer well. A great taproom will hopefully provide proper glassware that is room temperature and clean.
What Glassware Should You Have?
I have lots of glassware recommendations here and here. Many are Spiegelau brand glassware which are amazing to use. However, they aren’t cheap and they use thin glass which makes them easy to break (I know from experience!). So these may not be for everyone.
If you are looking to try out new styles of glassware, I recommend starting with a set of glassware. This will give you a handful of options to choose from so you can determine which you prefer. Here are 3 options that will get you off to a great start.
And while each glass is designed for specific styles, feel free to use any glass with any beer. Much like craft beer, glassware is preference and experimenting will lead you to the glass or glasses you prefer.
The last element to consider when purchasing glassware is the beer styles you drink most often. If you drink mostly dark beers, a snifter would be a good purchase. Sours and Belgians, I’d suggest a tulip. If you entertain other craft beer fans, you may want to purchase a whole set so everyone can use the same glass.
My Approach To Craft Beer Glassware
Craft beer isn’t about following all of the rules but rather finding how beer can elevate most situations in life. The very same approach should be taken with craft beer glassware. The glass you use should take your beer to the next level, not make drinking it difficult or a chore.
With that in mind, I approach craft beer glassware in a really simple way . . . something is typically better than nothing. Pouring a beer into a nice glass really does enhance the aroma, flavor, and visual appeal of the beer. But it can go too far when there is more concern over which glass is used than actually enjoying it.
On a regular basis, there are a handful of craft beer glasses that I use. These include snifters, tulips, goblets, and occasionally a pint glass. While I own dozens of unique glasses, most go unused except on rare occasions. So in many ways, collecting glassware is just an extension of the hobby as it gives me another element to add to my collection.
And there are times when I do drink right from the can. This is typically when that is the best format for the situation. If I’m enjoying a beer while with friends, taking the time to pour the beer might interrupt the conversation so opting to drink from the can or bottle can be the right decision. In the end, I am a craft beer enthusiast . . . not a snob.
So craft beer glassware does matter but don’t take it too seriously. Something is better than nothing and keeping it clean and at room temperature are just as important then the style of glass.
Do you have a favorite style of glassware?
