Glass Sipper: Guide to Drinking Glasses

Pairing your drink with the proper glass may not seem like priority number one when you’re gathered with friends for a night of celebrating, but there’s something to be said for going the extra mile and serving drinks in the right receptacle.

Using the correct type of glass isn’t just an arbitrary point of etiquette either. There are aromatic benefits to using certain types of glasses. For example, the curvature of a given glass can affect the way you smell and even taste your beverage. The shape of a glass can also represent the geographical origin of the beverage. If you’re drinking a German beer, a stein with a handle would be the most appropriate glass, whereas if the beer was of Belgian origin, it should be served in a rounded snifter.

Authenticity is at the forefront of the beverage world, especially with the advent of wine bars, craft beer breweries and taprooms, and cocktail culture. By frequenting those establishments, you’ll see drinks served in their intended glasses as the norm. Having a selection of glasses at home that meets every beverage need can be daunting. We suggest starting with the glasses of drinks you’re most likely to consume yourself, and building it up from there!