So what’s in a beer glass? Hopefully beer, but there’s much more to be found. Though some beer novices say, “the vast majority of glassware is just marketing,” this couldn’t be further from the truth. As Beer Advocates, we feel that beer drinkers deserve better than this. So here’s the real deal…
Sure, there’s a marketing component to beer glassware, but one only needs to look beyond the branding to discover that something bigger is taking place.
As soon as the beer hits the glass, its color, aroma and taste is altered, your eye candy receptors tune in, and your anticipation is tweaked. Hidden nuances become more pronounced, colours shimmer, and the enjoyment of the beer simply becomes a better, more complete experience. Scientific studies show that the shape of glassware will impact head development and retention.
Why is this important?
The foam created by pouring a beer acts as a net for many of the volatiles in a beer.
What’s a volatile?
Compounds that evaporate from beer to create its aroma, such as hop oils, all kinds of yeast fermentation byproducts like alcohol, fusels and fruity esters, spices or other additions. So a glass that promotes a healthy foam head may enhance the trapping of certain volatiles. And as varying levels of head retention and presentation are desired with different styles of beers, different styles of glassware should be used accordingly.
Presentation marries science.