Does glassware matter?

Absolutely matters. I find a tulip glass works for every style, but I use snifter often for stout, strong ales, and Barleywines.

 

So, for the record, yeah, it matters.

 

I typically just use the glass that is appropriate for the style of my first beer, and then if I have a second, rather than dirty another glass, I will do a quick but thorough wipedown and rinse of that glass for the second, no matter the style on that. Mainly because I am lazy and do not feel like scrubbing multiple dishes.

 

Perhaps so.
But they are not so bad when filled with good beer.

 

By the way, if you guys are looking for proper glassware, don't forget about your local thrift stores. I picked up a 16oz tulip the other day for $0.25. A few months back I found a 24oz globe that was filled with potpourri and had a ribbon tied around it. I Dumped it out, ran it through the dishwasher and now I can dump an entire bomber into one glass on a single pour-with a nice head. One man's trash...

 

Just hand wash them, dishwashers tend to leave a thin film on the glass anyway. I hand wash all my beer glasses and thoroughly rinse them so no soap residue is left on them, even then I give a quick rinse before pouring my beer.

 

To a point it matters, i think any decent glass is a big step up from drinking from a can/bottle/pint glass, but for me theres not a huge difference when using a tulip vs teku vs other appropriate glassware regardless of the style

 

Never thought it mattered until I poured an IPA into a tulip glass over the weekend and was blown away. The nose on that baby was memorable.

 

Tulips and snifters tend to bring out the aromas and flavors, but I wouldn't stop going to a place because they don't have "proper" glassware.

I drink everything from a tulip or a snifter at home, unless they're all dirty, then I resort to a Hefe glass, a shaker pint, or a pub tankard depending on what I'm drinking.

 

Yes

 

When a new craft-centric bar opens and i see photos of a somewhat frosty, headless beer in a shaker on their social channels, there's a good chance i'm not going to check that place out.

 

I would argue that this is why it matters.

 

Yes.

Especially if you have never had the beer before. Although I do not conform to the recommendations of BA or other sites.

Reason 1: Olfaction
Smell, not taste, is the most versatile factor of your senses when it comes to perceiving flavor. The most important part of smelling occurs in your mouth, not in the glass, so the glass is not the ultimate key here. (If you are not chewing your beer or moving it around as it sits in the back of your throat, I suggest doing that.) However, the glass can help prepare your olfactory for sensations to come, giving you a heads up so that you can hone in on those details once the beer reaches your mouth. If you select a glass that allows an appropriate head to form, and has a tapered top to trap/concentrate some of those aromas, it will be much easier for you to pick up on subtleties. I prefer a snifter for almost every beer. I jam my nose in there and inhale deeply, knowing that some people will label me a snobby asshole. I'm just like those people who slurp and gurgle their wine, because there is a method to that madness, and it absolutely does change your experience. Some people prefer the Trappist-style glass because of the huge surface area on top releasing lots of aroma. I think that's okay, but I seem to get better sensation when it is trapped in the enclosed/tapered top of a snifter. Here's an article that talks a little bit about taste and smell.
http://www.livescience.com/2737-surprising-impact-taste-smell.html

Reason 2: Temperature
For the vast majority of beers, I want it to warm up some while I drink it (especially at bars and restaurants where they serve it much too cold). Flavor profile changes with temperature for all beer. Personally, the darker it is, the more/faster I want it to warm up (brings out the sugars). Of course you could always just serve it warmer, but that takes waiting/effort if you don't have the extra fridge. The best way to control rate of warming has little to do with the glass.... pour size. Basic geometry lesson: for a given shape, smaller volume = bigger ratio of surface area to volume. Just do a smaller pour if you want it to warm up faster. Another good way to control temperature does have to do with the glass... use your own body heat. If the glass is thin (again, snifter), you may choose to hold the glass in such a way that your hands warm up the beer. Finally, the shape of the glass can impact the surface area to volume ratio, which has some additional impact on the previous two effects.

I will add this final note. If you have had the beer many times before and know precisely what tastes/smells to look for, then you can probably achieve roughly the same experience with any glassware. The right glass would just make it easier for you to intensify that experience.

 

Yes, snifter.

 

No. Now quit being wine snobs...

 

Is the question "does proper glassware enhance the experience" or is it "does having lots of glasses make you a better beer drinker"? If its the former, then yes it can, but it depends on the glass and how its cared for. Soap residue, bleach and other things can create issues from taste and smell to head retention. Best rule of thumb is clean your glasses carefully, rinse well, polish with a lint free rag, and most importantly find a glass style that you like for most of the beers you drink. Filling up your cupboard with a bunch of glass you only use once or twice a year is wasteful unless you are unencumbered by space and money, in which case, go nuts. Cheers!

 

It shouldn't though. I've seen vidoes of people reviewing beer and they pour a really clear, lightly colored beer into some fancy stemware and they say "wow look at how beautiful it looks, golden color, so pretty." But in actuality it looks like coors light. but the fact that they know it isn't coors light makes them think it is good looking.

on the other hand, I've seen these same people review coors light and go "oh look, just see through, like theres nothing in it, ugly" but it looks EXACTLY the same as that pilsner they just had.

so all in all, putting it in a fancy glass looks nice, but it doesn't really mean anything.

sorry for that rant haha.

 

Maybe you're watching the wrong videos. LOL

 

Yes I believe glassware does matter. I don't believe it changes the beer any but it does allow for a better experience especially with aroma. My favorite and most versatile glass is a Belgian tulip I bought for $2, it works for most beer.

 

Some glasses DO aid in presenting aroma and/or retaining head. These are important factors in enjoying the beer, as smell is such a huge part of 'taste'.