Does glassware make a difference when drinking craft beer?

I think it can help with the experience - the presentation of the beer itself being first and foremost. However, the glasses do affect the way the beer is delivered onto the palate, certain shapes help accentuate aromas/volatiles which can impact aroma and flavor, etc.

Generally speaking, I always serve imperial stouts in snifters. Belgian dubbles/tripels/quads in a wider-rimmed chalice (seems to be the go-to glass for most Belgian breweries). Weizen glass for hefes/dunkelweizens. Those are generally the rules I stick to. Anything else, I usually use a pint glass that works as a jack of all trades. The Sam Adam's perfect pint is nice, as is the Samuel Smith's pub pint - a bit wider and sturdier IMO.

 

I think it does. If nothing else it enhances the experience. Good news is finding out isn't too expensive. The Libbey set is about $30 on amazon and it seems like I've seen a set at Target for $20. I say go for it. I'm in love with my Spiegelau IPA glass.

 

Short version: yes.
Long version - you can certainly enjoy beer in any vessel, but drinking it in glasswear designed to enhance it will, in fact, enhance the smell and flavor somewhat. Is it worth it to buy a bunch of glasses? That's up to you to decide.

 

Some people swear by proper glassware, others don't care. It depends on your personal taste. Some people are perfectly content with listening to music on their phones or cheap stereo. Others spend millions of dollars on their listening systems. Do a side by side at a bar or friend's house some time and see what you think.

 

Much like drinking fine whiskey, drinking your beer in an appropriate vessel can certainly enhance your experience. I'm not one to drink certain styles in certain glassware but it can have its benefits (mainly in the aroma department).

 

I bought a set of glasses from Pretenious Beer Glass company they were about $200 for 5 glasses. Each glass was unique to the style of beer it was designed for. I would agree that the smell is enhanced with these glasss. For sure they look cool and are well made but I am not sure if the enhanced smell and taste is a huge difference than pouring in a pint glass.

As an FYI Russian River makes a point of telling you to pour their beer into a tulip glass not a pint glass (even shows that on the glass that you buy at the brewery).

 

Teku. Classy shit.

 

Drinking from a glass rather than a bottle makes a big difference.

Drinking from the proper glass makes a considerably smaller difference.

I cover all bases to my satisfaction with a nonic and a big tulip.

 

I never really bought into the whole glassware thing until this glass.


Since then I am a believer that many glasses serve a purpose.

 

Yes, yes it does.

Aromas are a critical part of how we experience flavors. Some of the aromatics from the beer are picked up in the nasal cavity through the inside of the mouth (retro-nasal) as we drink the beer. Some of them are picked up in the nasal cavity through the nose (ortho-nasal). However, the retro-nasal part of the system is less sensitive in some ways and produces some different sensory experiences than toes the ortho-nasal. For full enjoyment of the flavors of the beer you need input from both parts of the sense of smell.

With no glass (using the bottle) you are loosing out on part of the flavors. The problem with the shaker pint glass is that it was never intended for drinking in the first place. (It was originally used as one of two parts for cocktials that were "shaken not stirred." ) So a shaped glass that focuses the aromatics where they are more easily picked up by the nose enhances the flavors of the beer.

 

If you only buy one type of beer glass for the purpose of enhancing your beer drinking expurriance, make it a Duvel Tulip.

 

I have long felt that as long as you are actually putting you beer into glassware instead of drinking it from its package you have done well. Taste is dependent on smell. Glassware allows more surface area for you to smell from.

 

I use a tulip for everything

 

Was coming in to post this. Have a FFF Teku glass that not only looks killer, but to me also excels from a technical standpoint. I've read elsewhere that teku glasses serve little purpose but I disagree.

it's got the extremely wide section at the base compared to other glasses and flatter at the base. Perfect for a slow sipping brew. Whether out of a bomber or 12oz I find myself only pouring an amount to go up a bit past the base and enjoy it from there. For whatever reason I prefer this when doing nothing else but sitting on a couch drinking beer.

That said, a teku will snap or break with no might at all. So when drunk or outside I don't use it.

 

Yes.

 

I'd like to know how a Kolsch glass is optimal for drinking a Kolsch. Tradition is not a valid answer.

 

It's not...not in the least, but that is just my opinion. For me any beer is better in a shaped glass that focuses the smell...I like Spiegelau IPA or Stout glasses for everything and I do think they make a big difference. They forced my tulips into retirement. The glass you posted is better than the bottle and a little better than a shaker pint, but the shaped glasses are much better for any beer IMO, including lighter styles. I couldn't care less what the "proper" glass for the style is, but I do know glasses of a certain design improve the beer taste through smell in a significant way for me.

 

Stanges are fantastic....

and that's how it's "ideally" served which is awesome.... like holding a giant shot gun cartridge...!

 

YES. It does. And, yes. The Sam Adams perfect pint is a big deal for drinking i.e. consuming: aka sipping it. I just wish they had more of a base because they do tip over quite easily.