Does glassware matter?

Obviously the most important thing is the beer being poured into the glass. However, I do believe that it matters. Some friends and I had a debate about this awhile back and decided to do a blind tasting of the same beer in different glasses and it has made a difference to all of us. Aroma wise there's no question but I think the entire experience from aroma to taste is better. I prefer a tulip or snifter most of the time but it varies. I have noticed the better craft beer bars now have multiple styles of glassware which was unheard of around here just a few years ago.

 

Simple and easy to showcase a good beverage, that is a good glass. Not too many graphics to shroud away the brew.
Of my personal favs I would say a simple snifter and a nice pint glass can easily cover the ranges...then again I have about 40 different glasses of varying styles. Want to increase your collection---hit up Goodwill every now and then. You would be surprised.

 

I really have to thank a friend of mine for cluing me in on using glassware to drink beer vs straight for the bottle, it's probably why I've been enjoying a lot of beers a whole heck of a lot more than I used to. It's funny how huge a difference you can have between the two drinking experiences. I can't believe how much beer I've tried and hated because I only drank it straight from the bottle....or how much Three Philosophers I've had wondering what it tasted so off from the one I had in a bar once.

I'm tempted to even give Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot another try even though I thought it was crap the two times I tried it. I mean the label is so sweet and it's a nice counter balance to a heavy Yeti for Bigfoot themed drinking events.

 

I'm a strong believer in proper glassware, and have been trying to reconcile how a Gueuze tumbler is "proper" without any luck so far. Perhaps someone like @jesskidden knows something about what makes that glass ideal for the style?

 

snifters aid in smell/aroma mostly because of their shape, but also aid in cool-temperature retention.

beer poured into a snifter/stemmed glass tends to stay cooler longer, the theory being that the stem puts insulation between the beer and the surface it is resting on. to further this point, if you pick up your snifter by the stem, your hands are not transferring heat into the beer portion of the glass.

im sure in comparison the difference is minuscule, but the theory behind it make sense.

 

I am guessing that historically it was always just served in that style of glass traditionally. Doesn't mean you can use something else, I love the wine like glass that Drie Foneteinen has, I also have that Gueuze Cantillon tumbler.

Plenty of German brews are served in mugs, but other than for getting mass quantities and giving my arm a workout I am not a big fan of using those either Tradition has an effect to how a beer looks as well, how you want to perceive the experience.

 

But aroma affects taste

 

No, unless it's a shaker pint.

 

Certainly a good point, and the analogy to German beers is a good one; well illustrates the point that "tradition" is not necessarily synonymous with "optimized". I'll probably continue using my Gueuze tumblers (I've got Cantillon, Tilquin, and 3F ) but I may start using my Cantillon balloon stems or non-Lambic branded tulips more often as well.

 

Literally just Lol'd.

 

generally it doesn't make a big difference, but there are definitely some cases where the glassware matters. when i was new to craft i poured a la fin du monde into a glass that looks exactly like the one on the label with a big X over it and 100% of the beer turned into foam, never seen anything quite like it to this day

 

Proper glassware is essential IMHO!! The great beer(s) I drink each night is a theatrical event for me with characters, a stage, lighting, storyline, tragedy, comedy and...props.



Of course that's just me, and I'm not quite "right".

 

It's important if YOU enjoy the outcome. Me, I swill beer out of cans day and night and I'm happy as a clam (with a cabinet full of fancy glassware to boot!)

 

The question, "Does glassware matter?" gets the same answer as its corollary, "Do you care?" Yes, it certainly makes a degree of difference in how you smell the liquid and how it flows into your mouth (varying depending on the vessel and the beer), but it only matters as much as you care about such things.

 

It matters a bit, but the right glass won't make a bad beer taste good nor a good beer taste bad.

I've had Pliny in a hotel paper cup and in a proper IPA glass, they were both great but the IPA glass allowed me to enjoy it just a bit more (better aroma and delivery of texture).

 

I cover all the bases, I eat out of paper plates and drink my beer in small clear plastic cups!

 

...and?

Spit it out dude!

 

Just goes to show that Canadians are still in The Stone Age!

 

Yeah, they also give you the snifter to take home if you get one of the heavy hitters at their brewery.

 

Unfortunately I cannot find any Heady Topper cans in my area...