So, looking at my post count it is fairly obvious I'm new to BA, so I'm gonna ask a sorta nOObish question. How does one figure out what beers go with what type of glass? And, where can I buy these glass types? Sites will probably be most convenient for me, where I am. Will, probably be asking some other questions in various forums in the future, just trying to get myself educated. Dream is to be a bartender at a pub/bar/tavern after I become a civvi again.
Here's a good place to start: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/glassware Really, though, the best glass for a given beer is that one that you enjoy drinking it from most.
You will eventually find a couple of cool glasses that you will end up using all the time. If there is a brewery you really enjoy, look at their website. They will probably have a store where you can order glasses.
i have about 40 glasses and use 3. Tulip is great though because it works for anything. Other than that I use a nonic for small beers and a big old dimpled mug for anything German.
You'll be pretty much covered if you have a pint glass and a mug as they cover the most styles. Truebeer.com is a great glassware site for glassware. You can also visit the website of your favorite breweries for their branded glassware. Pier 1 is another option if you want plain glasses.
Personally, I'd get a full unbranded set of all the commonly used styles and then expand from there and add brewery branded pieces. Decent unbranded glassware can be obtained for very affordable prices. Places to look include restaurant and bar supply stores in general both online and local. Some other possible local sources might be IKEA, Bed Bath and Beyond, World Market, Crate and Barrel (they'll be slightly more expensive), and Pier 1 Imports (their 5.5 oz. Miny Brandy snifters make wonderful tasting glasses for high abv brews). I'd start out with 4-6 of each type of glass. To give you an idea here is what I have on hand for unbranded glassware that I would consider essential (I list few different types of pint glasses, you really only need one to start out): 16 oz. nonic pint glass (x6) 20 oz. nonic pint glass (x6) 16 oz. "tulip" pint glass (x6) 20 oz. "tulip" pint glass (x6) 16 oz. becker pint glass (x6) 16 oz. shaker pint glass (x6) 12-13 oz. snifter (x6) 16 oz. tulip (x6) 12 oz. goblet (x6) 16 oz. chalice (x6) 16 oz. seidel (dimpled mug) (x6) 23 oz. weizen (wheat beer) (x6) 12 oz. stange (x6) 12-13 oz. pilsner (x6) 7 oz. flute (x6) Here's some extras you might want to add. I have varying quantities of each depending on use. 21 oz thistle (x2) (for scotch/scottish ales/wee heavys) 23 oz. oversized snifter (x2) (you can fit a whole 22 oz. bomber) 10 oz. nonic pint glass (x6) (a cool option for DIPA and Imperial stouts) 6 oz. nonic pint glasses (x8) (for tastings) 5.5 oz snifters (x8) (for tastings) Use this as your foundation, add branded and interesting unbranded glass at your leisure, and you'll be ready for anything.
