Does using the "wrong glass" pose any issues?

Well, I'm sure you'll have some people tell you that it makes a huge difference and you'll suffer endlessly if you put your barleywine in pilsner glass.

The size/shape of the glass will effect the size of the head on the beer, and since the head traps various aromatic components and smell plays a huge factor in taste, the type of glass can theoretically have some effect on how you taste the beer. Now, will this effect be large enough alter your enjoyment of said beer? I personally doubt it.

I ultimately pick glassware based on which glassware I like, which leads to me drinking 90% of my beers out of my Founders snifter.

 

Other than have other BA's scoff at you. Not really.

 

"Issues"? No.

 

Really for any beer I like to drink I pour it into a stein I purchased in Germany. I've never really been picky with glassware, however one of my previous employers (Meadhall in Cambridge, MA) has a glass for each beer they have on tap (100). Best thing to honestly do is find a glass you like, it's the personal sentimentality that you put into an object like this; for me it's my stein, the new years challis Meadhall gave me last year, and my actual pint glass (a real 16oz glass).

As for the having a wrong type of glass... well I would say anything with a label of "bud light" or [insert generic piss water] would be the real "wrong beer glass."

 

If you put it in it's respective glass it will look purdy! Oh, I like how wheat beers are served in tall glasses but if served in a 2 litre mug style glass it seems to taste WAY better or is that just because its much more of a volume and I'm getting buzzed pretty good. It's presentation. wine served in mugs seems backwoods but served in a long stemmed glass it seems to be more upscale. Taste will be the same no matter the glassware choice.

 

Certain ones maybe. I prefer most in a snifter, but that just how I enjoy it.

 

People say the same thing about wine and like most here have said, it may make a small difference but certainly nothing that will make a good beer, bad. Is some of it mental as well? Most likely. Now saying that, these glasses are only a couple of bucks so if it enhances the overall experience by even 5%, then I would spend the $10 to have a couple of different glasses to experiment with. Just my opinion.

 

I asked my butler to fetch me a glass of my 20 Year old Gueuze. He has the nerve to come back with it in a snifter instead of a flute in front of my dinner guests no less. Needless to say I had to drain pour it and fire him and I think everyone would agree it was the appropriate reaction to such insolence.

 

I haven't noticed huge differences but i found it interesting that the aromatics change in different glasses. On beer night, my girlfriend and I will try the same beer in different glasses. There is a noticeable difference in the two glasses(challice/tulip). Desperate enough to dull the beer's impact on the palate, in some cases. Is it a big deal? No. But it is interesting.

 

I don't think it would have any kind of detrimental effect. I drink basically everything out of this glass



or this glass



Or this glass




Soooo... basically one style of glass lol

 

Duvel Tulips are my go to for about 90% of the beers I drink. I have near all the artist series and the standard one for when I have company. Near about a perfect glass if you ask me. I use CCB Hunahpu snifter for the BA beers and my precious Cantillon long stemmed tulips for my gueuze. Really though, so long as the glass allows you to enjoy the beers taste, smell and appearance, go for it.

 

Never has a more true statement been posted on BA. It's really the only glass I use with few exceptions. Besides novelty or volume there is absolutely no reason to use anything else. Honestly I think its like how On Top Gear (BBC version) they say you can't really be a gear head if you've never owned a Alpha Romeo I think the same holds true for BA's. How can your really be a BA if you've never owned a Duvel glass. I supposed I could have said something like this before in an effort to be helpful instead being a smart ass. Maybe next time I'll try that.....but probably not.

 

I was recently in Akron Canton, OH airport and the Great Lakes Brewery has a bar there. I noticed they had Christmas Ale on tap so I asked the waitress for a glass. She asked me if I wanted a "tall" or "short". In Chicago, I am served Christmas Ale in a snifter or tulip. I asked her what the difference was between a tall and short. She said the short is a pint glass and the tall is a 24oz mug.

"Miss, I'll have the Christmas Ale in a tall glass, please."​

​

To hell with the appropriate glassware.​

 

Duvel tulip for almost everything I drink. The one thing I do care about is how clean it is. Any bits of oils and fats will destroy your head. So I make sure it is absolutely spotless and dry before every pour.

 

The wrong glassware has never stopped me before.

 

See this thread
http://beeradvocate.com/community/t...that-you-prefer-not-to-use.57105/#post-759105

 

I have done quite a few side by sides with different glasses with shared bottles, and I noticed a least some kind of difference every time. Either one glass has the better head retention, or one even has more perceptible hoppiness. I don't really think of this in terms of one glass one style, but it's fun to experiment. I believe that good glasses DO matter, and an improperly poured beer can hurt the experience of tasting.

 

I find that certain shaped glasses will mute the bitterness/hoppiness of IIPAs like DFH 90 minute. Some people like that fact while others find it a detriment to their enjoyment of the style.

Take that for what its worth. Your mileage may vary.