Want even more enjoyment from your favourite beer? Then picking the right glass might just improve the drinking experience. The Germans and Belgians have appreciated this for years and now, at long last, us Brits are catching up. We’ve enlisted the help of our Bavarian brewing pals Krombacher to pick five drinking vessels that every kitchen cupboard should contain…
Pilsner Glass
Pilsners were the first beers to consistently look great as well as taste great, making glass the natural material to show off their clear golden properties (previously beer’s murkier appearance was hidden in ceramic or pewter). Krombacher’s Pilsner glass follows classical curvy lines: it’s narrow to maximise clarity and allow the drinker to gaze longingly at the bubbles rising through the liquid, slightly widening as the pristine white froth forms on the surface.
Wheat Beer Glass
A unique shape but vital if you’re a fan of proper wheat beers, of which Krombacher are masters. A bulbous base quickly narrows before changing direction towards a wide opening. It’s a shape that stirs a gassy rumble on pouring, with the liquid spinning as it climbs the glass walls, building a huge head off froth which towers above the rim. Pouring takes a bit of practice to avoid a foam-only beer.
Tankard
From the classic British dimpled pint pot to the huge steins of Munich beer halls, the choice of tankards is wide ranging. Wrapping your fist around a handle connected to a weighty mug of beer induces glugging, rather than dainty sipping, and comes in handy if you’re swinging and clinking your glass at a social knees up. We’re admirers of Krombacker’s unusual ceramic tankard , complete with curves to encourage a head of beer to peek above the surface.
Tulip glass or snifter
Belgian’s have been showing off their strong ales in tulip glasses for decades, but now the shape – and the squatter snifter – has been adopted by the craft crowd for just about any beer style. Krombacher’s branded tulip glass is suitably rotund: its job, apart from looking good, is to allow the beer to swirl on pouring releasing the aromas, with ample room for nasal investigation.
Stemmed glass or flute
With the above four classic vessel shapes on your shelf you’ve got most bases covered, allowing you room for something a little fancier. Thin stemmed or fluted glasses are great at adding a sophisticated edge to your boozy nights. Tall and slender they’re best suited for bright, sparkling ales, and they’re brilliant at showing off the colours of a fruit beer, giving you a good excuse for turning down the fizzy wine the next time you need some celebratory bubbles. Cheers!
Krombacher beers are available from www.majestic.co.uk, www.beersofeurope.co.uk and www.noblegreenwines.co.uk
This is a sponsored post
