Why Do Wine Glasses Work for Beer, Too?

The number of times I’ve been to a fancy beer-focused bar that served my choice of brew in a wine glass is uncountable!

It can seem almost inappropriate, how can you specialize in beer and use the glassware created for a totally different alcoholic beverage? When you look at the facts, there is no surprise at all that these wine vessels work for a craft brew, too.

Head Retention: the rim of a wine glass tapers in slightly. This shape forces the head of a beer in on itself, which creates a thicker, frothier head that sticks around for an extended period of time.

Improved Aroma: that rim shape also helps the aroma of a beer stay in the glass. Unlike a pint glass with a huge open rim that just let’s the aroma float up, out, and away; a wine glass holds in scent so each sip from the glass plunges your nose in beer-scent territory.

Storing & Washing: I know what your thinking, Teku glasses do this too, and they’re easier to drink out of, why aren’t we constantly being served those?! The in-and-out shape of a Teku glass is ideal for beer, but it’s also very delicate. It’s easy to break the rim on a drying rack and it’s difficult to store Teku glasses upside down.

Serving Size: Finally, a wine glass is nice because a 4oz pour of a bourbon barrel stout looks just as nice as an 8oz pour of saison in these glasses. A typical bar glass like a pint looks awkward and empty for half pours. Wine glasses are far more versatile than a specialty glass like a snifter because they can handle larger pours as well.

Next time you’re served a special brew in a wine glass, give the bartender a smile, it’s for a reason!