Although you may not consider it very important but making the right choice of glassware can make a significant difference in your beer drinking experience.
The type of beer glass you choose alters the way the sweetness of malt lands on your tongue, the whiff of the aroma from the hops, the proper release of carbonation, foam control or just enhancing the clarity of the drink.
Best Beer Glasses for Stout
Although there are several types of beer glasses available, it is not necessary to get each and every one of them.
If you are a stout lover, then it’s a good idea to invest in a good set of stout glasses to savor your stout.
Choosing the Right Glass for Your Stout
When you are buying a stout glass, be sure to look for one with a big rim that has the capacity to accommodate plenty of head.
When poured, the dark beer creates quite a lot of head or foam and this extra head retains the flavors, hop oils and spices of the beer, offering a full-bodied and complete stout drinking experience.
So, it is very important to find beer mugs or glass that have a large capacity and big rim size.
Also, the glassware should be thick and clear, as thicker glass feels generous when you handle it and matches the strong full-bodied quality of the stout.
Pint Glasses
The conventional 16 oz pint glass is great for stout beers such as New Holland The Poet, Baltic porter, oyster stout and Rogue Ales Chocolate Stout, among the countless others, which taste excellent when drunk in traditional pints.
The pint glasses contain an additional pocket of glass on the top and are specially designed for beer that produces plenty of head.
Beer Mugs
Beer mugs made of heavy glass are great for Irish dry stout and the dimples in the thick mugs reflect the light through the dark liquid and accentuate the dark reddish hues and texture of the stout.
Snifters
Exotic tropical snout or Russian imperial stout taste great in snifter beer glasses.
The wide bowl of the snifters allows big servings and the narrow rim retains and holds the head and concentrates the aromas.
Snifter beer glasses are best for very strong beers.
Wine Glasses
Finally, a very unlikely glass that is great for stout is the traditional red wine glass.
In fact, it is one of the best options to hold stout beers.
That’s because red wine glasses have a large capacity of sometimes even more than 24 oz and just like a snifter, the narrow rim of the red wine glass can keep the flavors and aromas of the stout concentrated under the head.
You could consider a wine glass with a wide bowl and a strong stem to pair up with strong stouts like milk stout.
Now, that you have learned about the various glasses that are most suitable for drinking stout and after reading our reviews of some of the best stout glasses available, you should be able to make a decision on the one that’s most suitable for you.
Luigi Bormioli Birrateque Stout Beer Glasses
Created by Bormioli in collaboration with the international specialists Centro Studi Assagiatori, the Birrateque Stout Beer Glasses are crafted in Italy and have been designed to enhance the aroma and flavor of the stout.
The Birrateque Stout Beer Glass has room for 2-3 finger heads, which help to augment the creaminess of the beer and the shape and the large size creates an aromatic chamber that enables the aeration of the beer and the chimney lets you experience the aromas and flavors of the stout.
The shape of the Birrateque Stout Beer Glass allows the beer to flow slowly into your mouth while the foam is maintained at the right level while you drink.
The beer glass has a Foam Control System (FCS), which is essentially a circle that has been etched by laser that releases a continuous stream of bubbles which helps to release the aromas of the stout.
The Birrateque Stout Beer Glass is lead-free and is manufactured using superior-technology that guarantees the quality and durability of the glasses.
The glasses are dishwasher safe and come with a 25-year guarantee against any discoloration due to dishwashing or any chipping.
Pros
- The Foam Control System maintains the stream of bubbles which release the aroma of the beer.
- The chimney of the glass allows the mouth and nose of the drinker to get into the glass to get a better experience of the flavor.
- Manufactured using the SON.hyx technology that makes the glasses strong, durable and long-lasting.
- Made of lead-free glass.
- Dishwasher safe and that glasses retain their luster and brilliance even after 4,000 cycles of washing in the dishwasher.
- The beer glasses come with a 25-year guarantee against any discoloration and chipping.
Cons
- Fragile and needs to be handled and washed with care.
Where to Buy
Verdict
The Italian crafted Birrateque Stout Beer Glass from Bormioli is loaded with features and is designed to make your beer drinking experience truly enjoyable.
The FCS feature and the chimney of the glass are all designed to enhance the beer’s flavor and aromas.
The features of the glass along with the price, which is quite affordable, make the Birrateque Stout Beer Glass a good buy.
Spiegelau Stout Craft Beer Glasses
If you’re looking for that “perfect” glass for your stout, then you could consider the German Spiegelau Stout Craft Beer Glasses, which is manufactured in the United States in partnership with two of the leading producers of stout beer in the U.S., Oregon’s Rogue Ales and Colorado’s Left Hand Brewing Company.
When you look at the Spiegelau Stout Craft Beer Glass, you may think that the design is rather odd. However, in reality, the shape of the glass is best for stouts.
The glass allows you to pour the stout with just adequate head and the stem of the glass allows the heat from your hand to transfer to the beer so that it brings up the temperature.
The warming of the stout brings out the notes of chocolate, coffee and roasted malt in the beer and enhances the flavor.
The Spiegelau Stout Craft Beer Glass is very durable and is made of high-quality glass and is also dishwasher safe.
Pros
- The glass helps to enhance the flavors and aroma of the stout.
- High-quality glasses.
- Wide mouth and middle of the glass allow the aromas of the stout to fill your nose.
- Dishwasher safe.
Cons
- The glass is a bit thin.
- May be fragile and needs careful handling.
Where to Buy
Verdict
Overall, the Spiegelau Stout Beer Glass is a superior-quality glass that is designed to enhance the flavors of your stout and is sure to offer a pleasurable beer drinking experience.
These beer glasses are great for gifting too.
Libbey Craft Brews Stout Glass
Having a beer party with your beer buddies and looking for beer glasses to serve the stout? You could consider the Libbey Craft Brews Stout Glass Set.
Made in the United States, these 14.75 oz beer glasses measuring around 7 inches in height and around 31/4-inches in diameter are great to serve your stout and porter and they come in a set of 4 glasses.
The clear stout glass has a stem, which raises the beer and the shape of the glass helps to enhance the rich and dark color of these beers.
The Libby Stout Glasses are sturdy and strong and can be cleaned very easily in your dishwasher.
Pros
- Good looking beer glasses.
- Durable and sturdy without being heavy and bulky.
- Scratch- and chip-resistant.
- Sturdy stem feels heavy and good in the hand.
Cons
- No cons
Where to Buy
Verdict
So, whether you plan to buy the Libbey Stout Glass Set for your home to add to your beer glass collection or you plan on gifting it to your best beer buddy, these stout glasses are definitely a great buy.
And, the best part is that the Libby Stout Glasses Set is quite inexpensive too.
Fina. Word
Today, with more and more types and flavors of beers emerging from around the world, varied shapes and sizes of glasses are also making an appearance to enjoy these beers in.
So, if you really love your stout, then it may be a good idea to invest in a set of high-quality stout glasses to truly improve and enjoy your drinking experience.
top image credit: Valentyn_Volkov (Deposit Photos)