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[T1414]Types Of Beer Glasses

by Evelyn Whitaker, Eve

German beer - you have to admit, is one of the finest tasting beers you can drink. German breweries are pretty secretive about their "how tos". They all seem to say it's in the water. I'm sure there's some truth to that, but what really gives the beer it's great flavor is the hops which is traded as seriously as grapes for wine makers.

Most German beers are great tasting because all are vegan (no animal products are used). Bavarian purity laws limit them to four ingredients only: water, grain, hops and yeast. Real German beer is also not pasteurized as many American beers are, which lets you taste the beer's real flavor.

Listed below are some of the different types of German beers typically found in Bavaria and what you can expect should you order one of these types.

Ein "Helles", bitte ( A lite beer)
The standard light beer, when you order a "Helles" in a pub or restaurant you'll most likely end up with a pint. Depending on the brewer it can be quite refreshing. Some beer gardens have responded to the public's demand for smaller quantities and now also offer them outdoors, the "real" beer garden only serves the "Mass" (one quart) - pronounced "maus". By the way, Germany has laws governing the quantity of liquids served to the public, that is why you will find level markers on each glass. If your Mass looks like it is not quite 1 liter after the foam settles, just go back and ask for "bitte nachschenken". The man at the keg will be impressed that you know your way around.

Ein "Pils" (A Pilsener)
If you like a more bitter and less malty taste try the pils which is also called pilsner. You can order them in restaurants and special pils bars. Take a closer look at the time consuming process of serving a foam crowned pils with perfection. You will see dozens of glasses filled with foam only, waiting to settle. It can take a good quarter of an hour for the foam refills to turn into the golden liquid.

Ein "Dunkeles" (A dark beer)
Against popular beliefs it is not the most powerful in alcohol contents. It is basically a lager bottom brewed beer containing "toasted" malt.

Ein "Weissbier" (A white beer)
A very good idea when the sun is shining and you prefer being refreshed by a lighter tasting beer. Weizen means wheat, often called a Weissbier (white), and is served in tall and elegant 1/2 liter glasses. But beware of its "light" character, it is the strongest in alcohol. While some will serve it with a slice of lemon, do not put one in your Hefe (yeast) Weissbier. The Hefeweissbier comes only in bottles, a professional will wet the glass and pour the bottle at a steep angle. With the foam that remains at the bottom of the bottle he will collect the yeast (swirling action) and add it to your beer.

Ein Bock und Doppelbock (A Bock beer)
Bock is term used for a stronger beer (doppel meaning double even more so). Fasting monks found an ingenious way of compensating the lack of food - they started brewing very strong beers. March and October are the two most prominent seasons for brewing these special beers.

How do beer glasses affect the whole beer-drinking experience? Some beginner beer enthusiasts say that glassware is just a marketing ploy, but the adept beer drinker knows better. Whether from a bottle or straight out of the beer taps, glassware is an important aspect of the beer drinking experience. For example, beer steins differ from a flute glass in forming a head as the beer is poured in, which makes a big difference in appearance and taste. A darker beer should have a wider brim in order to allow for more release of the volatiles found in the brew, thus enhancing the strong flavor and smell. A bottled beer is pasteurized and needs a taller, thinner pilsner glass for color and pourability. There are a lot of little different things like that that can make a big difference in your drinking experience.

Now of course there's a big marketing presence in all these different varieties of beer glasses, but a true beer drinker knows that as the beer is poured in, something else is going on besides the nice looking logo on the side of the glass. The hue of the beer changes, the head forms at the top, and the anticipation of that first cool drink is more profound and complete. Just like any other pleasurable aspect of life, there's a psychology involved here. Flavor, texture, aroma; these are the things that make up the drinking experience. If you're drinking to relax and enjoy yourself, why not do all the things you can to enhance the experience.

One of the most important aspects of beer glasses is how the shape affects the formation of the head. This is important because the head acts as a sort of trap for the volatiles in the beer. What's volatile in a beer? Compounds such as hop oils, a variety of yeast byproducts such as spices or alcohol are what make up a beer's aroma and taste. Earlier beer that man drank was darker, stouter, and a lot grainier too, mainly because of the lack of filtration. As glass became more and more popular, so did lighter colored beers and better filtration processes. With so many different kinds of beers, a variety of beer glasses are needed to produce the maximum desired effect of the beer drinking experience. Many people have said that the 16-ounce pint glass is overall the most versatile glass for the widest range of beers. Many people place the importance of a glass because of the shape as they drink. A tall pilsner glass can be tipped up for quick drinking, while the tall narrow glass keeps the entire drink cold the whole time.

So which is the correct glass to use with which beer? The answers are vast and varied. Europeans may do it completely different than anyone else in the world, but what it really comes down to is your own personal preference. Go with some recommendations and then branch out and try some on your own. You may be surprised at the experience and find your own preferences to be totally unique to yourself.

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Both Evelyn Whitaker & Michael Usry are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Evelyn Whitaker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wine and Spirits, Interest and Wine and Spirits. Evelyn Becker writes articles for which. Evelyn Whitaker's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Michael Usry has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Acne and Lose Weight. Michael Usry is a long-time beer lover and contributing author for "Beer Maniac" fanzine in Austin, Tx. He is also a top affiliate at , and. Michael Usry's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.