If you are still drinking beer in those heavy-bottomed mugs, and feeling good about it, believe it, you’re missing out on a lot.
Beer drinking isn’t about chugging a few pints anymore – it’s what expert brewers call an ‘artisanal experience’.
Among all the different kinds of artisanal beers flowing freely from the tap, there are a few that are more popular than the others, and among these stands the Indian Pale Ale, or as it is popularly called, IPA.
Let us help you find the right glasses for that brew.
Picks: Best IPA Glasses For The Money
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Editor's Pick
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Budget Pick
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Luxury Pick
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How to Choose an IPA Glass?
If you take your beer seriously and want to make sure you get the best out of every sip of your IPA, you’re going to need an IPA glass that is just right.
How do you pick the best glass for your IPA, and what do you look for when making this choice?
Shape
An IPA glass is a specific shape – it is tall enough for you to pour your beer so as to create a thick, creamy head of foam, but narrow enough to trap the aromatics.
The mouth of this glass is in the shape of a bowl, which allows you to savor the aroma and complex flavor of the beer uniformly.
Etched Bottom
A good IPA glass has an etched bottom, and this isn’t purely a branding aspect.
Creating texture by etching the bottom of the glass allows for carbonation to happen at the bottom of the glass, incorporating air into the beer and drawing out and amplifying all the nuanced flavors of the beer, while also giving you a pleasant, refreshing sip.
Similar to a wine glass, an IPA glass also has a wide bowl, that allows you to sniff and inhale the aromatics.
Durability and Thickness
As it goes with any barware, durability is an important factor in deciding the quality of the glass.
Usually, durability is associated with the thickness of the glass, but with an IPA glass, the walls have to be thin enough to not absorb the coldness of the beer, and keep it chilled for longer.
Best IPA Glass Reviews
1. Spiegelau IPA Glass
- Set of 2 glasses designed especially for IPA
- Each glass has a 19-ounce capacity
- Dishwasher-safe
- By Spiegelau- the Class of Glass
- Beautiful addition to your barware or the perfect gift
This is a classic IPA glass from Spiegler, a trusted brand of beer glasses. With its beautiful, perfect shape and wide mouth, it allows you to savor your beer right down to each last drop.
Pros
- Wide mouth allows you to inhale the aroma of the IPA.
- Unique bowl shape amplifies aroma.
- Narrow, tall shape creates creamy, fuller head.
- Ridged sides aerate the beer as it flows.
- Thin walls keep the beer colder for longer.
Cons
- Thinner walls make this less durable.
Where To Buy
You can buy a set of Spiegelau IPA glasses at Amazon.
Verdict
A great deal for the money that our editors love, Spiegelau brings you not one, but two IPA glasses, perfect for an afternoon of chilled beer with your best buddy. With its unique shape and beautiful look, not only is this one of the best ways of relishing your IPA, it is also a fantastic addition to your bar.
2. Luigi Bormioli Birrateque IPA Glasses
When it comes to beer, as they do with wines, Italians clearly know how to drink it in style. These IPA glasses from Luigi Bormioli are no exception. They are designed, in every way, to give you that perfect IPA experience, from your first sip to last.
- Designed and Crafted in Italy
- Shapes Allow the Beer to Flow Slowly into the Mouth while Maintaining the Foam at an Adequate Level when Drinking
- Foam Control System at the Base; A Laser Etched Circle Helps Maintain a Stream of bubbles Replenishing the Head and Releasing the Aromas
- Bowl Shape Curved Specifically for Each Style of Beer
- Lead Free Crystal Glass; Dishwasher safe
Pros
- Unique formula creates a durable, long-lasting glass.
- Specially designed shape controls the pour, creating a richer head of beer.
- Base comes with foam control system.
- Laser-etched design on the base optimizes carbonation and aroma.
- Made of lead-free, high-quality crystal glass.
Cons
- Slightly more expensive as compared to other brands.
Where To Buy
You can buy the Luigi Bormioli IPA beer glass at Amazon.
Verdict
For a set of two IPA glasses, this set is only slightly expensive as compared to other glasses our editors compared, but nevertheless a great choice if you are a lover of ale and believe in drinking your ale the way it ought to be drunk.
3. Òodzoo IPA Glass
This set of IPA glasses is just perfect. Priced much lower than the other brands we compared, yet impeccably designed – these IPA glasses from Òodzoo are perfect for the beer enthusiast who would much rather save on glasses and spend on the beer instead.
Pros
- One of the cheapest IPA glasses in the market.
- Perfectly designed shape for maximum aroma and flavor.
- Tall shape gives you the perfect pour and rich head.
- Made of sturdy, thick glass
Cons
- Does not have a wide bowl shape.
Where To Buy
The set of IPA glasses from Òodzoo is available for purchase at Amazon.
Verdict
Priced affordably for most beer drinkers, this set of IPA glasses is easily the most value-for-money product on this list. If you’re someone who loves their craft beer in style, but prefers not spending too much, these glasses are the perfect choice for you. You also don’t have to worry about using them too frequently – they’re durable and sturdy. While they might not have a particularly unique design, they serve the purpose well, giving you the perfect sip of your IPA each and every time.
If you still aren’t convinced about the difference that a specially designed glass makes to your beer-drinking experience, you absolutely must give the IPA glasses a shot. Once you find yourself indulging in a richer, more flavorful and refreshing experience, you’ll never again pour another pint of India Pale ale into a regular glass. As a true beer connoisseur, you deserve to get the most of your beer, from the foam to the last drop you drink.
top image credit: Rawpixel (Deposit Photos)