Why You Should Drink Beer from a Glass
There is no denying the satisfaction inherent in popping the cap off a beer at the end of a long day and swigging straight from the bottle. But. Pouring that frosty cold beer into a pint glass has its own rewards. Perhaps you’ve been turned off to this notion after hearing a beer geek friend expound one too many times on the subject, but give me a chance to persuade you. If you love craft beer, pour it in a glass.
The number one, for reals, no-joking-around reason to pour your beer in a glass is aroma. Aroma plays a huge role in how we perceive flavor, as we all know from the experience of eating while nursing a head cold — the food tastes super bland, right?! Drinking beer straight from a bottle or a can is essentially cutting off your sense of smell and changes the way the beer tastes quite significantly.
Compare that to drinking beer from a glass. Pouring your beer straight down into the glass activates the carbonation and creates a foamy head. Every time one of those tiny bubbles pops, it releases a little burst of aroma. The aromas you inhale as you take a sip then mix with the tastes on your tongue, giving you a full-on flavor experience. Savor the flavor, baby!
Pouring beer into a glass can also tell you things about the beer you’re about to drink. It’s color can give you an idea of its maltiness; the thickness and texture of the foamy head can indicate creaminess and mouthfeel.
Plus, we eat, and therefore drink, with our eyes! Brewers put a lot of work into that beer you’re holding. Pour it into a glass and appreciate it for all its glory.
Do you pour your beer into a glass? Or still not convinced it makes a difference?
(Image: Emma Christensen)