The straight-sided pint glass is an American institution. From sports pubs to beach bars, you can find it as the go-to glass for just about any and every draft beer program. So if this style of pint glass is so prevalent, why is it bad for beer?
The answer is pretty simple, but before we get to it, let's take a look at the origins of the straight-sided pint glass. Technically called a shaker pint, the glass began as a two-piece Boston cocktail shaker designed to shake mixed drinks and cocktails.
As described in a Business Insider article from Laura Bliss titled "America has been drinking out of 'the worst thing that ever happened to beer,'" it was never intended to be a glass for beverage consumption.
In the article, she credits the glass's rise in popularity to its durability, its ability to be easily stacked, and its price point as a few reasons it gained in popularity. This comes to the dismay of Dr. Michael Lewis, professor emeritus of brewing science at the University of California – Davis.
"The same glass is used throughout the bar and restaurant trade to serve water, soda, iced tea, and milk," he said. "This assures beer of similar low-level commodity status instead of the premium status it deserves."
Lewis is not alone in his sentiment. From microbrewers to craft beer bar owners, there is a growing movement to serve flavorful beers the right way. But what is so wrong with the shaker pint, and if it's so bad, what should we be using?
The shaker pint is designed to mix cocktails, not bring out the best qualities in beer. Its broad mouth allows aromas to escape. Its straight sides allow beer temperatures to rise from contact with warm palms. And a beer's flavor will not reach its full potential in a shaker glass.
Are There Alternatives to Serving Beer in Shaker Pint Glasses?
The only way to answer that question is to begin with the individual style of beer being served. Certain beers require certain characteristics in the glass to bring out its full flavor profile and aroma potential.
The answer, though, is a resounding 'yes.' There are beer glassware options that can help bring out the full potential of craft beer. Discover what they are by reading our Birrateque Guide to Craft Beer Glassware.
