More class in your glass
You have been doing beer wrong - here's why
WE have come a long way since the days of man cupping his hands to drink water from a stream.
Today, we have a number of sophisticated beer glass styles that mirror the wide range of beer variety available to consumers.
Early days
Before the European Medieval era, beer (and other liquids) were stored and served from natural materials such as animal hides and skin. Vikings progressed from drinking out of skulls to stone, then to wood and leather. The Egyptians were the earliest known glass makers.
It was only when the Romans and Greeks caught on that Europe progressed to making and drinking out of glass. Glass-making prospered in Venice to a commercial art and science.
Beer served in glass
The initial use of glass was certainly not for beer; however it was Pilsner Urquell that made the first appearance in a glass bottle in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). From this point, beer has had a more ‘glamorous’ look and the use of glassware to showcase the liquid became the norm.
Germany contributed the ornate and often only ornamental bierstein, mostly made of stone or ceramics. Today these beer mugs are symbolic at beer festivals.
Beer today
Today, beer glasses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some of the glasses are designed to bring out and enhance the unique flavours of a specific beer while others preserve the foamy head.
Such is the case with Hansa Pilsener in the flute glass which brings out its crisp flavour and ensures better foam retention.
They are also made to market various different beer styles and brands. For example, in Belgium, classic beers (Trappistenbier, Orval, Chimay and the iconic Duvel) have their own recommended branded beer glass. In addition to being branded, the beer glass shapes are unique.
While they all function to show the colour of the beer and its fluffy head and aroma to best effect, it is often their unique shape that gets the best brand recognition.
