Thoughts Regarding Double Walled Glassware

Discussion in 'Breweriana' started by SLeffler27, Jun 10, 2018.

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  1. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Being out, in the sun on a warm day, with a beer, is one of the simple pleasures of life. Unfortunately the sun and heat are bad for beer. Over the years I have tried numerous approaches to mitigate the problem, including finding a shady spot and chilled steins.

    This year, my wife gave me a double walled Growler Werks mug.

    Pros: It keeps temperature exceptionally well for the duration, and keeps the harmful rays away. With the lid on, it keeps the bugs away too.
    Cons: It diminishes the progression of warming on the flavor, prevents visual observations of the beer, and the lid inhibits aroma. The aroma issue is less than I had suspected it might have been.

    For me, it seems to be the right tool for the this specific job. This said, I started looking for other double walled glasses and found quite a few. Some look hokey, some appear to have similar qualities as the standard variety of beer glassware.

    My question is: What thoughts might others have regarding double walled glassware? Not necessarily the one described above, but rather in general.
     
  2. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Is this glass fully opaque?

    My thought with double-walled glassware is that the design is primarily meant to keep the temp of the beer moderated by chilling the airspace in the dead space, but if it is also fully opaque and has a lid, that's a pretty good deal. However, I still would have concerns of a dark color absorbing the sun's rays and heating the g;ass much more quickly, therefore limiting the ability to keep the beer cold.

    If the airspace in the dead air space warms, that forces you to use another glass for each beer too. Did you get a spare glass too? :wink:
     
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  3. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Interesting point, about opaque/dark colored glass. The “glass” I have is aluminum! And sadly Scottie’s transparent aluminum is still science fiction. I think the idea of a double wall is that the space is either close to a vacuum or that the air gap is a poor conductor. I have a silly amount of glassware, so that is of no concern. Display space aside.

    I tested the temperature delta over an hour, with a slight change on an 80F day. I stoped at four hours, figuring I would unlikely take that much time to consume 16oz of anything. The water was still pleasantly cold at that duration. And no, I was not about to waste a beer in the test.

    Actually I have a clear double walled glass for bourbon, where the lip is just a bit wide for comfort. I found the double walled “glass” to be a surprisingly good insulator, and wanted to share the “discovery” with others, as well as learn more about others experiences.

    Just enjoying a great day relaxing on the deck, really.
     
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  4. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Duh!! I had plastic in mind because of the ease of the manufacturing/molding of it and never even considered a metal 'glass'.
     
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  5. BigIslandfarmer

    BigIslandfarmer Initiate (0) Sep 30, 2016 Minnesota

    I use one all the time while outside grilling, doing yard work, etc. I think it's great! Before I got one I was always pressuring myself to drink faster so my beer wouldn't get warm. I wouldn't use it for rare beer, but works great for your typical summer beer.

    Cheers!
     
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  6. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah, that’s what I figured. Best for regular drinking beer, rather than a special reserve. Thanks.
     
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  7. jesus_man

    jesus_man Devotee (373) May 8, 2015 North Dakota

    In the last year or so, we have become fans of Hydroflask. They make double wall Stainless Steel water bottles, tumblers, beer cups, etc and I have been impressed with their performance! Your beverages do not sweat, and they hold the temperatures well. I have a couple for coffee, a couple water bottles and a set of 22oz tumblers.

    I rarely drink a beer from these tumblers tho as I have the proper drinkware for most of my beers and I usually am not outside when it's that hot. However, I have filled my tumbler with ice water while outside working on a hot day and came back to ice water, hours later. I wouldn't hesitate drinking your average beer from one of their tumblers, but when it's something special I think I'd rather use the appropriate style of glass.
     
  8. JFresh21

    JFresh21 Savant (1,036) Mar 6, 2012 Illinois
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    Haven't seen much in terms of double walled glassware. I know Tervis Tumblers are very popular plastic double walled drinkware.

    I want to be able to see my beer. So opaque is not ideal. As one of the other posters mentioned, the thickness is not great. Overall, I don't think double walled glass will catch on for beer drinkers.
     
  9. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agreed. However, when just having a beer, on a hot sunny day, it beats the alternatives.

    I did find a clear double walled glass, which works well inside, but the form is lacking for head retention and aromatics. The thickness of the lip takes a minute to acclimate, but is less of an issue than I had anticipated.

    I think the applications for interior use are less beneficial than the exterior application. Still it is good to have options, and the right tool for the right job.
     
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  10. JFresh21

    JFresh21 Savant (1,036) Mar 6, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    What is your ideal outdoor drinking vessel? Doesn't have to exist right now.
     
  11. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
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    I really like the GrowlerWerks mug, for the reasons noted up top. Sure it is hot this summer, but having a cold one in the heat is just so nice.

    I’m looking for something that mitigates the cons, without sacrificing the pros. The quest continues.
     
  12. AWolfAtTheDoor

    AWolfAtTheDoor Initiate (0) Oct 30, 2005 Washington

    The stainless steel vessel is a good idea not only for the reason already mentioned, but when outdoors you should always strive to keep your beer from being struck by the light as well. Most humans have a vey low threshold for the compound created when sunlight interacts with the hop compounds found in beer--specifically the isomerized alpha-acids. This reaction creates the "skunky" flavor that occurs when a beer is lightstruck. There are multiple sources which indicate that this can happen in a as little as 30 seconds upon beer being exposed to sunlight. Hoppier beers are at a greater risk to being lightstruck due to the obviously higher level of iso-alpha-acids.

    I personally don't drink beer outside if I can't keep my beer in the shade. Stainless steel pints sound great for temperature control, but don't underestimate the importance of keeping your brew out of direct sunshine...unless you are or ever thought a Corona was a palatable beer.
     
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  13. Griffin2

    Griffin2 Pooh-Bah (2,447) Aug 22, 2014 Virginia
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I use a stainless steel Yeti cup when grilling at our neighborhood pool, and it works great for keeping your beer cold.
     
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