To rinse or not to rinse?

Gotta rinse the glass. Especially if your drinking two wildly different styles of beers. Usually when I buy beer i buy two contrasting styles. Ill buy a stout or porter, then ill buy a pilsner or bock. So, if i drink the stout first my glass will be sticky and have residue.

 

Case in point: at New England Brewing Company yesterday, my glass was rinsed with beer even before the sample was pulled. Now that's courtesy!

 

A thorough rinse, even if its the same style, unless the following applies: If the next beer is better in a different style glass, then a new glass. If the last beer remnants were heavy and/or sat in the glass for a while....new glass.

 

Know it's a no-no here, but at home I have a freezer full of frozen glasses. Unless I've just got a new glass from a brewery, this is where my night begins.... I'll choose one and refill at will. Mostly from the same growler. If I'm mixing it up, similar styles in the same glass (in honor of Zappa's Conceptual Continuity), or a fresh glass. Tonight it's Trillium Melcher Street IPA in a frozen Proclamation tulip. Damn delicious!

 

Wash & rinse. Always when changing beers.

 

Multiples of the same beer, just pour 'em right in the same glass without rinsing or anything.

Different beers, I'll at least rinse the glass pretty good first if not get out a different glass entirely (I have a slowly growing collection of them now, up to five after I unexpectedly got a mug with an owl on it for Christmas. I suppose if I ever get around to any of the various "we have an owl in our logo" breweries/beers I'll have to use that one for them. XD)

 

Indeed. I always rinse, but then usually leave it upended on a dishcloth for a couple of minutes while I decide which beer to have next.

 

I have to agree with most people in this thread; if it's the same beer, I usually don't worry about rinsing too much. That said, sometimes I will pull out a new glass or wash the one I'm using if it matches the beer brand/style that I'm about to pour.

 

I prefer to rinse between each serving. Maybe its in my head but it tastes better

 

Even back in the 50's my Dads Dad had a dedicated beer glass that could only be washed with salt.

 

I use hot water and some dish soap and rinse thoroughly and then a bit of cooler water to bring the glass temp back to normal. I prefer a new dry glass,but if I'm not home this is what I do.

 

I'm a new glass type of guy. Glasses are by the beer fridge so it's no big deal.

 

As mentioned in my earlier post,as a beer judge the simple act of drinking one beer affects the palate when sampling the next. I defy anybody to detect a difference between new beer from a washed glass and from.one with residue from the previous one. Exceptions may be when going from say a cherry chocolate stout to a basic pale ale of course but palate fatigue would have greater effect.

 

Your father learned well...the best glassware cleansers are still Sodium based. Many commercial soaps contain paraffin or other waxes which is not exactly beer-friendly.

Here is an over-the-top dissertation from your Dad's era:

 

I will rinse and shake if it is the same style, but I'm OCD enough to get a glass that is appropriate to the style and to change if necessary.

 

Same beer i pour it right in. Different beer I rinse and shake unless the glassware doesn't work for the style in which case I switch.

 

I always at least rinse if its the same style, if it is a different style I will usually change glasses, if it is the same beer I usually just pour without rinsing...

 

I like my glass like how I like my hair after its shampood rinsed.