Breaking the glass ceiling of beer

Imagine: A beer tasting is about to start. “Oh, it seems we’re getting fancy beers tonight!” Phrases of this general tenor are not uncommon when I pour the first round into a glass that isn’t your average tumbler, stacking glass or red solo cup. Apparently, the fanciness of the beverage is measured by the vessel we drink it from.

Probably, ever since the Romans were in charge in the north-west of Europe, wine is a drink for the upper class. The elite could join in with their Mediterranean overlords and drink the fermented wine juice they preferred, while the normal (read: poor) people were stuck with their fermented grain saps. It totally makes sense to me that wine is in higher regard in parts of Europe where very good wine can be produced at scale, and against reasonable cost. Somehow, though, wine is considered more luxury than beer pretty much everywhere. Fancy dinners go with wine and a good bottle is often used as a present. Don’t get me wrong, some people are taking their beer serious nowadays, including some Michelin star restaurants. Overall, though, beer is still considered ordinary. In the bad sense of the word.

Beer needs to, and beer deserves to break this glass ceiling and get to equal appreciation levels as wine. There is really no reason not to. I might write other blog posts about beer as a companion to dinner, as it is a worthy topic on itself. There are definite differences between pairing food with beer versus wine, and both have advantages and disadvantages. One really isn’t any better than the other. So let’s get rid of this made up perception of a non-existent class difference, will we?

Beer glasses. Not wine glasses. (source: Barons Beverage Services)

Break the glass ceiling you say? Indeed, and breaking it with glass. Glassware may have an important role here. That beer is considered fancy only when I serve it in an ISO glass that resembles a white wine glass is indicative of the prejudices. Does that mean we just from now on serve all beer in wine glasses? On the contrary! That would be admitting that habits around wine consumption indeed are somehow superior. I’d argue that it is important to pay close attention to glassware, but to also distinguish beer glassware from wine glassware and perhaps be equally snobby about it, at least until the world catches up on appreciating beer as a fine, quality beverage.

Everybody recognizes the differences between red wine glasses, white wine glasses and fizzy wine flutes. The aroma, flavor profile and perception of different organoleptic properties of the fluid are strongly influenced by glassware, so it makes sense to match the shape and thickness of the glass to the desired accents. It’s no different for beer, which is reflected in the development of IPA glasses, Spiegelau, and e.g. the AnDer glass, as well as variations on the conventional tulips, goblets and tall pilsner glasses.

Let’s serve beer in a glass that fits the beer and the occasion the beer is served for. Let’s serve beer in glasses that are sufficiently different from wine glasses, so everyone can see that our beloved beverage deserves its own proper glassware. Wine glasses for wine, beer glasses for beer. Our drink is different, and equally worthy. Cheers!