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High on Hops: New Trends in Beer Glasses

Lee Heidel
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The Manual has spent a lot of virtual ink on the topic of beer glasses.

From profiling the Pretentious Beer Glass Company to opining on Spiegelau’s perfect stout and IPA glasses and even advocating for the purchase of beer tasting paddle sets, there are many articles in the archive to review concerning why proper glassware matters.

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But the final word has yet to be written on barware for the craft beer aficionado as we’re continuing to see new drinking vessels come into the market. Before you go chasing the latest craze, consider investing in the following glass styles to establish an all-purpose drinking cabinet.

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THE MUST-HAVE
An all-purpose glass well suited for any type of beer.

stout glass beer16oz Belgian Glass

A cross between a snifter and a tulip, this is the Swiss army knife of beer glasses. The bulbous bottom is ideal for using your hands to warm up an over-chilled stout and the subtle curve and vertical height allow for fluffy heads on saisons. The stem enables you to handle the glass without adding heat to colder brews, and the diminutive fluting means aromas can linger and develop. There honestly isn’t a beer style that doesn’t improve after being moved from tap, bottle or can to a standard Belgian glass.

NEXT STEPS
Do you have a beer style you drink more often than others? Pick up a style-specific glass.

Spiegelau’s IPA and Stout glasses

After extensive research and development with leading breweries, these glasses optimize carbonation, flavor profiles and aroma distribution for two of beer’s most popular generic classifications. Read The Manual’s reviews.

A Proper Belgian Glass

“Real” Belgian beer bars pride themselves not on the selection of beers, but on the ability to pair a specific beer with its proper glass. If you’re a fan of a Belgian brewery, collecting the approved, licensed glass means you’ll be drinking the way the brewer designed. The Belgian Beer Factory website sells 188 different branded glasses. It’s not just the logo that’s different; each glass has a unique shape, crafted to enhance the flavor of each specific beer.

THE VIABLE ALTERNATIVE
If you’re short on cash for new glassware or stuck in a new place with no proper beer glasses, give this a try.

A Large Wine Glass

No joke. Any old wine glass will do, as long as it’s large enough to hold your pour. The traditional wine glass shape will vent the beer better than a Shaker pint and you’ll look classy.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve said, “The best beer is the one in front of you.” The easiest way to make the best better is with a proper glass. Well-matched glassware means that your beer will retain its carbonation, aroma and taste longer and give you more time to sip and enjoy your favorite beverage.

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Lee Heidel
Lee Heidel
Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…
This is the most popular beer in the U.S. (you might be surprised)
This sexy staple has been right under your nose the whole time.
Beer being poured from tap

When picturing the typical American cookout, picnic, or game day, of course, there is beer present. It just wouldn't feel right if the brewskies weren't flowing as you flip the barbecue ribs or high-five an awesome touchdown. But when you paint that mental image in your mind, which beer do you imagine is being enjoyed? Coors? Miller Lite? Budweiser? Some super cool hipster IPA, perhaps? While these are all excellent choices, it seems that the beer Americans most favor isn't American in the least.

According to a recent poll by YouGov, Guinness is the beer Americans love most. Surprised? So were we. Don't get us wrong — there's nothing like a Guinness. Its comforting malty goodness and pleasantly bitter hop are exquisite, familiar, and wonderful. The dark and rich Irish brew has no doubt created many a fond memory with its velvety smooth charm. To be sure, we love to enjoy Guinness by the pint, and even use it as an ingredient in some of our favorite meals. We've not a bad word to say about this beautiful brew.

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The science of drinking at high altitudes (plus, expert tips for your mid-flight cocktail)
Curious about the science of high-altitude drinking? Here's the breakdown
Man drinking at sunset.

The Denver Nuggets won the NBA Finals this year and some say it's due to an invisible factor. Yep, because the team is based in the Mile High City, the air is thinner and there's less oxygen. So how does being at a higher altitude relate to the science of drinking?
It's pretty common to grab an in-flight cocktail or apres ski drink way up on the slopes of your favorite mountain. And if you've been that person, the alcohol may have rubbed you in a different way. Here's what happens when you engage in high-altitude drinking.

The science of high-altitude drinking
Frankly, there’s not a lot of good research out there on the topic. Back in the 1930s, freshly post-Prohibition America was thirsty again and at least a few people were asking the question. A Columbia University psychologist named R.A. McFarland looked into it, concluding roughly that at altitudes of 10,000 feet above sea level or higher, two to three drinks is more like having four to five drinks for low-altitude people.
But other studies suggest the body deals with alcohol the same, regardless of how high up one is. Researchers in alpine Europe looked into how beer was processed by the human body at sea level versus high up in the mountains at roughly 10,000 feet. The results? No difference, at least in terms of blood-alcohol content.
It’s a topic of some discussion within the aviation world. In fact, it’s easy to imagine pilots enjoying a Mai Tai pre-takeoff during the party-on-the-plane era of 1960s and 1970s. You know, the golden era of flying, when Pan-Am ran the show, people dressed to the nines (and wouldn’t even think about reaching for their Juicy-brand sweatpants) for flights, and smoked and drank excessively in the cabin. But studies in this regard, too, generally point to zero impact on the part of elevation.
Physiologically, it’s all about oxygen. Alcohol works its way through the bloodstream and tweaks hemoglobin’s ability to absorb oxygen. In the thinner air of higher locales, where there’s less oxygen present, it’s easier to feel something akin to tipsy (a little light-headed, dizzy, etc.). Alcohol’s effects aren’t magnified so much as that you’re simply imbibing in an environment with less of something you so vitally need — oxygen.
Which is to say altitude sickness exists and is thrown unfairly into the alcohol conversation. This condition is common enough that it’s estimated to affect some 200,000 Americans per year. Also called acute mountain sickness, it’s the physical distress some feel when higher, where oxygen levels are lower. Generally, symptoms include headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. Sound mostly like a hangover?
In the thinner air of higher locales, where there’s less oxygen present, it’s easier to feel something akin to tipsy.

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Miller Lite’s simple hack for a cold beer all summer long is genius (and keeps selling out)
Get ready to kick yourself for not thinking of this hack before now
Glass of beer on black background

Every now and then, an idea comes along that has us wondering how in the world it took so long for something so obvious to come to light. Those forehead slapping why-didn't-I-think-of-that moments. Well, brace yourself, because you're about to experience one such moment, courtesy of Miller Lite. If you've ever had the frustrating experience of room-temperature beer and lacked the patience to wait for the refrigerator to do its job, this clever little hack is for you. Miller Lite isn't just releasing retro gear and Christmas tree keg stands — the company has just released beer cube trays.
While Miller Lite has come up with some interesting ideas in the past, we are completely on board with this one. The idea is simple — ice cubes made from frozen beer instead of water. The pros? Instantly chilled beer without the worry of watery ice cubes diluting the flavor.
The cons? None. There are no cons. This idea is brilliant. What's more is that the molds of Miller Lite's beer cube trays are shaped into adorable tiny little beer cans, making them perfect for slipping into your can of brew. Plus, they're freaking adorable. The only problem is that since their release, they've become so popular that Miller Lite can hardly keep them in stock, so get them if you can. (At the time of writing, three different drops had sold out, but the company site says more will be in stock Monday.)

Of course, frozen beer cubes can be made from any of your favorite beers, in any perfectly charmless old ice cube tray from the grocery store. Simply pour your favorite beer into an ice cube tray, freeze, and voila! Beer cubes. Sure, they may not be as cute as Miller Lite's, but the benefits are the same — ice-cold beer in mere moments. And no watered-down taste? Who cares what the damned tray looks like?
People have been using ice cube trays in non-water applications for ages. Coffee ice cubes have been a thing for a while now. Simply pour a little of that leftover coffee into trays and freeze for a great way to enjoy your cold brew all day long without fear of losing any of that preciously caffeinated flavor. Or cool down a punch bowl with cubes of your frozen concoction for an icy treat that will stay flavorful for the whole party. You can even use your ice cube trays to portion out and freeze fresh herbs in oil for summertime flavor in wintertime meals. The possibilities really are immense.
If we're honest, though, this has got to be the cleverest idea so far. And yet, perhaps the most frustrating one at the same time. So thanks, Miller Lite, for pointing out what should have been so glaringly obvious for decades now: That the answer to warm, tepid beer has been in our freezers this whole time. So excuse us,while we go and buy all the ice cube trays.

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