One glass for all?

Thanks for the info now. I'll definitely order a set now.

 

Beer-A-Lot summed it up right there.

 

The etched bottom really doesn't do much more than you would do if you 'swirl' your beer in the glass before taking a whiff or a drink, since that agitates the beer and causes co2 to break out of solution. So if you NEVER swirl your beer in the glass when drinking, then maybe.... Otherwise this is not really a valid point you are making.

 

As someone who really enjoys using/collecting different glasses from places I've visited and respecting the style/brewers opinions of how the beer should be served, when it comes to Belgian's I really think it's all marketing and a bit ridiculous.

 

I've always referred to that glass as a "snifter tulip hybrid" is "Balloon" Tulip the actually name? Regardless, if I could have only one glass, that is what I would pick...

 

To further kzoobrew's point about the inferiority of the ubiquitous "shaker pint" as beer glass, it was not even designed to be a serving vessel at all. Libbey still calls them "Mixing glasses" (to be used along with a standard stainless steel base unit like this) and lists them under "Restaurant Basics" not "Beer Glasses". From Libbey's catalog:

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An excellent history on how this clunky, ugly unit became the standard US beer glass is How the humble cocktail mixer became America’s favorite personal beer delivery system

Its appeal is primarily to bar-owners - they're cheap [often free], stackable, thick and sturdy, and are often sold as or assumed to be a "pint" but contain less beer when poured with a proper head since the glass is 16 oz. only when filled to the brim.

Before the rise of the "shaker pint", draught beer was typically served in glasses of much smaller quantities in the US (though it varied from region to region, bar to bar) - the brewing industry itself considered 6-8 oz. a "glass of beer" based on ads that referred to 7 oz. nip/pony bottles as "one full glass of beer", or 16 oz. cans containing "two glasses of beer" or quarts containing "over 5 glasses of beer", etc. (below)

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Using the "shaker pint" ultimately mean selling more beer at one time and lower labor costs (fewer bartenders needed since there are fewer refills, less glasswashing, etc).​

 

Lol, I love that we're all on here talking about beer glasses, and this video is pretentious.

 

Great thread!

Can someone explain to me the difference (in terms of the aromatics and tasting experience) between a tulip and a snifter?

 

For people of my vintage (I started going to bars in 1981) I'd say that shaker pints were associated with being more "current", and the older 8oz. glasses were for places where your parents hung out . Both serving sizes were common at the time, depending on where you hung out, but I definitely remember expecting serious places to serve their beer in shaker pints. Times have changed, and it's been interesting watching it all happen. I don't dislike shakers (they are not preferred, obviously), but that might be a product of past experiences.

In terms of practicality, I have no problem with all-purpose glasses. If I am going to have a few types of beer in one evening I'd rather not have a bunch of glasses to wash at the end of it. If it's a one beer night, then maybe I'll get out the most suitable one. For the most part, my elongated snifter/tulipy thing works great- the exception being for hefeweizens. Those need their own glass. Oddly enough- hefeweizen glasses also work well with other styles (pils, helles, IPA, etc.) so on those evenings that one becomes my all-purpose glass. I got my own lazy/zen thing going on these days.

 

Mmmmm, nothing like a cold frosted mug of Cantillon!

 

Thats because that FW Walker 6oz snifter comes in handy at tastings for ticking.

Cheers!

 

I use this for every beer. It's also nice because it holds 17.5 oz

http://www.anchorhocking.com/prodd_5405_cat_56_berlin_beer.html

 

Belgian Tulip. Nuff said.

 

Notwithstanding its shortcomings, a shaker pint serves nicely to prevent the beer from running through your fingers and onto the floor.

 

Great post & thanks for the link. I've learned something here today.
I've always felt that the standard pint glasses were inferior and now I have some ammo for that debate. Down with the shaker pint!

 

I tend to use my New Belgium globe for most beers for a few reasons. It has a great shape for aromas and looks nice. I've not really noticed the laser etching detracting from the carbonation any. Another very important reason is that they are very replaceable. Accidents happen, and I'd much rather break a glass that I can get at nearly any beer store near me for $5 than break my brewery or event-only glassware. I think I'd have to commit seppuku if I broke my Westvleteren goblet or any of my brewery anniversary glassware.

I do have a pretty decent sized collection of glassware, though, and will use other glasses intermittently. Most are snifters and tulips (or some hybrid of the two) with a decent number of goblets/chalices which I tend not to use since I find them bad for both aroma and head retention. I do have one oversized snifter that I'll only use with the biggest stouts, but really enjoy the small snifters from Great Lakes and the like. Of course I have a few pilsner and weizen glasses as well, but tend to not drink too many of those styles so they don't get as much use.

I do have plenty of plain pint glasses, but tend to save those for non-beer geek guests. If I want something plain for myself, I'll use this guy:


Not for sure what that style is called, but I also have one from Craggie with the same shape.

 

I remember this thread, it was hilarious!! I bet a Rare would look even better in that mug!!

 

I think no
kwak only think about changing taste many times and with their strange glass aromas are much more determined.
I use wine glasses, but mo realize that for the English style takes the pint glass
sorry for my english

 

I use the three below for most good beer, they are mostly similar to each other:

 

One glass to hold them all? I'd say the Teku glass is close, but I actually don't like the way it looks. Also, I don't think hefeweizen would be better served in a Teku than in a Weizen glass. I'd say a tulip is the most versatile and the nonic pint is my personal favorite, mostly because it brings back fond memories of Europe.