What makes one glass better than another?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by EvilMidnightBomber, Jun 17, 2017.

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  1. EvilMidnightBomber

    EvilMidnightBomber Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2015 Wisconsin

    Sorry for confusing thread title. My question is regarding quality of glassware, specifically comparing glasses of the same style.
    Example: I have several snifters from different breweries, four of which are identical size and shape. Three of them, when I wash and rinse them, they get water droplets that cling to the glass, and end up with spots when I let them air dry. The fourth (from my least favorite brewery of the four, of course) never has any water spots. Any water from rinsing runs immediately to the bottom of the glass.
    None of the four have ever seen a dishwasher since I purchased, and I wash them the same (brush and a little mild soap). None have ever had anything but beer in them.
    Is glass number four better quality glass? Was it coated with something? Why is it magically frictionless? It is the newest, but I've washed it several times now and it hasn't changed.
     
  2. DiUr

    DiUr Pundit (787) Aug 14, 2014 Spain

    Been there done that. The black sheep is your favourite, move on.
     
  3. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The one rejecting the water spots has glass that has been ionized by higher heat, and therefore less porous and having higher surface tension, repelling the water. This is total BS, made that up. Glass is glass, it's your imagination.
     
  4. Premo88

    Premo88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,670) Jun 6, 2010 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Is there a difference in how beer sticks or laces in them?

    I have no idea why they do what they do, but my beer glasses seem to act a bit different with how much sticking/lacing they allow. I've not noticed them draining differently, save that the tulips tend to get a bit more residue on the lowest part of the lip where the water drains down.

    I like the ionized heat theory. :stuck_out_tongue:
     
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  5. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Beers taste best in my Snorkel glass.
     
  6. rronin

    rronin Initiate (0) Jul 4, 2005 Washington

    Not a student of glasses. I've had beer from a mason jar, a plastic mug, a stainless steel water bottle, a stoneware coffee mug, and it was all good to the last drop. Or even (GASP!) the bottle.
     
  7. Hrodebert

    Hrodebert Savant (1,024) Sep 2, 2013 Michigan
    Trader

    My best glass is the one that has beer in it.
     
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  8. utopiajane

    utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I like my genesee tasting glass. It doesn't cheat me and it gives me two pours at least from every beer. It is called an hourglass. Lacing is better on it than on other tasting glasses It is wider at the top and lacing is better on it than on other tasting glasses because it is big enough for a drink not just a pour.
     
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  9. RandyCongdon

    RandyCongdon Initiate (0) Nov 23, 2016 Nevada

    Shape of the glass is important, as is diameter of the top of the glass. This is because your olfactory sense involved when tasting beer, and the right glass can direct and concentrate the aroma to enhance the taste.
     
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  10. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Interesting situation. No obvious solutions to it, nor tests I can think of to provide them. Perhaps try washing them all much more vigorously with stronger soap, and a much more vigorous rinse, and see what happens. Don't worry, being too clean and too well rinsed won't harm the glasses.
     
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  11. JuicesFlowing

    JuicesFlowing Initiate (0) Jul 5, 2009 Kansas

    This is going to sound stupid, but weight and feel make a glass better to me. I have a lot of different goblets or "balloon" glasses, but my Delerium goblet is by far my favorite because it just feels perfect when I pick it up -- because it has a perfect weight to it and feels good in my hand.

    I also used to love the hefe glass I had because even as a different shape, it just felt good when I picked it up, perfect weight distribution, etc. it's one of those things that is hard to describe but you just know when you have a great glass.
     
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  12. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have others, but have really settled on tulip and snifter style glasses even though they are "incorrect" for the stouts and porters I tend to favor.
     
  13. dennis3951

    dennis3951 Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2008 New Jersey

    Are you sure the problem is the glass and not the water.
     
  14. MostlyNorwegian

    MostlyNorwegian Pooh-Bah (2,236) Feb 5, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    I suspect it would be the make up of the glass itself which causes the water to cling.
     
  15. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

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