Much like wine, the beer glass shape and size can influence the taste of beer even when drinking at home. Glassware used for beer drinking in various cultures has evolved through tradition in different ways. In England, pub goers will stand at the bar all night refilling their pints without a drop of water or soap hitting the glass for refreshment. Germans stick to the traditional beer steins and North American's tend to use a standard straight edge pint glass. However, in Belgium these practices are frowned upon. In fact, Belgium is the land where beer glasses are symbolic and although some claim it is a marketing ploy, each beer is served in it's own particular glass. And their influence on beer drinkers is growing. Many trendy bars in cosmopolitan cities have responded to the European trends and are showcasing beer glasses of varying shapes and sizes. This coming holiday season, take notes from trend-setters and shake up your glassware to showcase the sophistication of beer.

The Ontario Craft Brewers have had a great effect on beer drinkers in Ontario exposing them to different styles of craft beers. They want to share their passion for great tasting beer, and have challenged Ontario beer lovers to discover Ontario Craft Brewers' premium products; to slow down to enjoy a wide variety of styles; and to have fun entertaining with beer. Part of that discovery starts with some tips and advice on how different styles and glassware can be used to expose aromas, showcase carbonation, release volatiles, and profile the various characteristics of each of their unique styles of beer.

All glassware brings a different element to beer. Use the following tips and have some fun…use a variety of different glasses and wake up your beer!

Oversized Wine Glass
	Substitute a wine glass for beer? The answer is yes. A 22-oz wine glass is most suitable for serving up a brew. Its size allows for headspace, while the open bowl creates an amazing nose. A wine glass can be used as a tool to 'over-accentuate' flavours and aromas in beer. Choosing to serve beer in glasses of different shapes and sizes can create a conversation piece. This is a great option and alternative for your holiday table. Benefits: Replacement for a tulip or goblet. Conversational. A versatile glass that is a great compliment to the variety of beer styles Recommended Styles: Barley Wine, Imperial Ales, almost any style you want! Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers brands: Barley Days Harvest Gold Pale Ale, Wellington's Trail Head Lager, or Cameron's Auburn Ale
The Flute
	The champagne glass lends elegance to certain types of beer. Long and narrow bodies ensure that carbonation doesn't dissipate too quickly and showcase a lively carbonation or sparkling colour. Stems can be a bit shorter than a traditional glass, but they don't have to be. Have fun and choose a flute that tickles your fancy. Benefits: Enhances and showcases carbonation. Releases volatiles for a more intense upfront aroma Compliments 'fizzy blonde styles' of beer Recommended Style: Blondes (slightly more carbonated) Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers brands: Nickel Brook Beer's Apple Pilsner, Niagra's Best Blonde Premium Ale, or some ofof Trafalgar Brewing Company's fruit flavoured Meads
Goblet or Chalice
	Go crazy with this one. Goblets tend to be long stemmed with a finer glass where chalices are heavier and thicker. You can explore other glasses with a similar shape to act as a goblet. The round shape of a goblet is designed to maintain a 2-centimeter head but there are so many variations on glass texture and size when you explore the burgundy family. Benefits: Appealing to the eye. Designed to maintain a thick head. Wide mouthed for deep sips. Let's beer breath quickly and compacts flavour The openness and depth of this style of glass will bring out the fruity aromas of a Belgian beer's 'yeasty and fruity' characteristics. Recommended Styles: Dark Ales and Belgian Style Ales Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers brand: Mill Street's Belgian Style Wit Beer
Snifter
	Usually we'll see brandy or cognac swirled in a snifter. The wide-bowled and short-stemmed glass is perfect for capturing aromas from liqueur but can enhance the scent of a strong ale. Volumes range, but they all provide room to swirl. Benefits: Captures and enhances aroma. A perfect compliment to some of Ontario Craft Brewers 'Big Beers' (higher alcohol content/big flavour profile). Recommended Styles: Barley Wine, Dark Ale, Scotch Ale, Traditional Mead Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers Brands: Mill Street's Barley Wine, or Trafalger Brewery's (seasonal) Maple Bock
Weizen
	Nothing beats a wheat beer in an authentic Bavarian Weizen Glass. These classy glasses, with long thin bodies showcase the beers colour and allows for a thick head to rise to the top. Many pubs across the province serve this beer with a wedge of orange or lemon but that can have a negative impact on the head. Benefits: These glasses were produced to take on volume and head while locking in banana-like and phenol aromas associated with the style. A traditional glass that can hold a lot of beer (typically ˝ Litre) and is easy to hold. The long thin body lifts flavours and aromas from the beer as it is poured so that they can be fully appreciated. Recommended Style: Wheat Beer Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers Brand: Muskoka Brewery's Hefe Weissebier
Mug (or Seidel, Stein)
	A Seidel is a German mug, while a Stein is the stone equivalent that traditionally features a lid, the use of which dates back to the 15th century. These glasses are typically heavy, sturdy and large and always have a handle. The 'Dimple Mug' is a smaller version that holds approximately 16oz for those looking to drink smaller quantities in one glass. Today, one can find fancier beer mugs made of thinner, lighter glass. And the best part is that they hold loads of beer. Benefits: Easy to drink, holds a large volume of brew. Perfect OCB brews that are darker in colour and a little sweeter in taste. Recommended Styles: Red Amber, Blond Ale, Porter, Stout, Dark, Fruit or Pilsner. Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers Brands: King Brewery's Dark Lager, Great Lake's Red Leaf Lager, Heritage Premium Lager, Hockley Dark, St. Andre Vienna Lager, or Neustadt 10W30
Pilsner Glass
	Typically a 12-ounce glass, that is tall tapering from the top in a trumpet like shape. The tall shape of this glass accentuates flavour as it carry's bubbles up to the top of the glass. The glass captures the sparkling effervescence of a Pilsner while maintaining its head. Benefits: It showcases colour, clarity and carbonation. Promotes head retention. Enhances volatiles. This glass truly compliments the characteristics of Pilsner style brews and captures their bold characteristics. Recommended Style: Pilsner Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers Brands: King Pilsner, J.R. Brickman Pilsner, Stratford Pilsner, and Old Credit Pale Pilsner
Pint Glass
	Traditional pint glasses are cylinder shaped with a slight taper and wide mouth. There are two standard sizes, 16-ounce or 20-ounce. The 20-ounce is preferred to accommodate more beer or those beers with large crowning heads. In Canada, this glass is the standard - straight-sided, 16-ounce pint glass. But the pint glass has been revolutionized and comes in different weights and varieties. Look at different glasses that can accommodate 16-oz and play with the stylish look this season. Benefits: Cheap and easy to make. Easy to store, easy to drink out of. A versatile glass with a wide top that allows you to 'get your nose into the glass' and fully experience a range of beer styles. Recommended Styles: Any style can be poured in a pint or half pint. Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers Brands: Black Oak Pale Ale, County Durham's Signature Ale, MacLean's Pale Ale, Robert Simpson's Confederation Ale, Taps Red Cream Ale, Skeena's Wolfgang Lager, or Cool Brewery's Millenium Buzz Beer
Stange / Cylinder)
	A traditional German glass, stange means "stick" and these tall, slender cylinders are used to serve delicate beers amplifying hop nuances. A Tom Collins glass can be used as a substitute. Benefits: Tighter concentration. Recommended Styles: Bock, Pilsner, Fruit Beer. Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers Brands: Nickel Brook Beer's Apple Pilsner, J.R. Brickman Pilsner, and a variety of seasonal fruit beers
Tulip
	The top of the glass pushes out a bit to form a lip in order to capture the head. Much of today's modern glassware is inspired by the traditional tulip glass featuring a bulbous body. Wine glasses that can be substituted include a Riesling or a Rose Blush to show different variation in the beer from head to body. Benefits: Enhances and showcases carbonation and releases volatiles. Recommended Ontario Craft Brewers brands: Nickel Brook Beer's Apple Pilsner, Niagra's Best Blonde, or some of Trafalgar Brewing Company's fruit flavoured Meads
Shot Glasses
	During celebrations in Dusseldof it is common practice to see shot glasses featuring different styles of beer showcased on a tray made of wood, bark or metal. Take a note from this German tradition and create a beer tray of your own. Choose different winter beer styles or variations of blond, to red to dark beer on a mirrored or sterling tray. It will surely be a conversation piece. Benefits: Ability to experiment and discover different beer styles. A visually interesting way to display a number beer styles and colours when entertaining guests. Recommended beer styles: Anything goes!

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