Glass Glasses: Not Which, But Why?

By my current reckoning, I was still a children when I was attending keggers.

Today, I would file that under the "I really need a drink" exception.

 

At the prices I pay for craft beer I want it to be presentable. I'm not drinking Delirium Nocturnum out of a solo cup. The same way I wouldn't drink a 60 dollar bottle of Cuttings by the prisoner in a plastic wine glass, or Glenfiddich 15 year out of a plastic cup.

 

Because my daughter bought me a lidded glass beer stein and I love it.

 

First you drink beer with your eyes...

 

My reasons:

• Chemical inertness
• Scratch resistance
• Tactile sensation of glass
• Transparency (I know, not unique to glass)
• Design availability
• In some cases the heft of glass (e.g. a Maßkrug)
• Aesthetics

The above aren't in any particular order but they all play into why the drinking vessels I've bought are glass and not some other material. I'm not completely married to glass; If I found a nice stoneware vessel at the right price I'd consider picking it up, and I'm not going to refuse to drink beer out of a plastic or metal cup as a guest or anything.

 

Well said. To this I would add that certain shapes of glasses enhance flavors and smells. There's a reason wine is also served in glass glasses, and specifically shaped ones depending on the wine. Beer is no different. I think certain German lagers might well be best in various ceramic vessels. We know the tulips, goblets and Spiegelau IPA and stout glasses have an impact.

That being said, Macro beers can be in a Solo cup, it makes no difference. At keg parties and sporting events, that's what people should be using for safety and practicality. But no, I'm not pouring Treehouse Haze or Lawson's Double Sunshine, or an Ayinger Celebrator, abt 12 or BCBS into a solo cup or even my much nicer Tervis Tumblers.

In part it comes down to this, if it's a special thing, treat it like a special thing. If it really is "crafted", it deserves a proper glass. I don't break out my Riedel wine glasses for a $10 wine (nor does it go in plastic).

 

I drink coffee out of a ceramic mug. I use glass for everything else. I don't even understand why anyone would CHOOSE to use plastic under normal circumstances.

 

Because Glass is better. Simple enough. If someone is afraid of breaking a glass or doesn't want to put effort into cleaning it, they likely use plastic or paper plates to eat from also. I find the extra 'work' or 'risk' is definitely worth it. I won't even get into the reasoning behind varietal specific glasses which enhance the flavor of the beer, wine, scotch, etc you are drinking.

 

Maybe it's just me, but beer doesn't taste as good in plastic or some other materials. So as long as it's clean, beer seems to taste the best out of glass. Not to mention I can actually see the beer, which is a huge plus. The one exception I make is that every once in a while I will use mugs for coffee/imperial stouts.

 

If you are interested in plastic, I would suggest Govino. I have a set for outdoor use and they are good. Better than a solo cup for sure.

http://govinowine.com/

 

You must be an engineer......

 

Stainless steel Pint tumblers are available on Amazon. My son and daughter-law take them camping and they swear by them.

 

I've been drinking beer for 25 years and I've broken maybe half a dozen glasses in that time. Seems an acceptable level of risk to me.

 

Besides all the other benefits of glass already mentioned, I like drinking from a nice tulip glass and making each beer an event to enjoy. Because as you know, good beer isn't cheap.

 

You could really geek out and carry on your special Spiegelau case.

 

Hey that's not geeky thats a sophisticate

 

Wouldn't be so bad on a plane, but I see folks taking their Spiegelaus in these cases to restaurants. Don't get me wrong, the glasses are great.

 

I prefer to see my beer as well and I like the feel of a glass over Plastic.

 

I like the way glasses look and I like the way they feel.

 

because Simon Pearce only makes tulips made of glass?