Primer to Drinking Glassware

Are you tired of serving drinks from cartoon glasses? This article gives an overview of what type of drinking vessels go with which type of drinks. You just have to determine what drinks are being served as the glassware purchased can enhance the drinker's pleasure. You can find any of these items at your local kitchen store (Crate & Barrel) or your local mega-mart (Wal-Mart).

If you drink beer, your glassware depends on what type of beer that is being consumed. Some of the most popular include:

1. Pilsner Glass: This is good for light beers, such as a pilsner (its namesake). It is smaller than a pint with a short neck at the bottom with a rounder taker to continue to a slight bulge to complete the form.

2. Pint Glass: Just as its name implies, this glass holds 16oz of your favorite beer. It is conical in shape with a narrow base and flaring towards its six inch height. It is widely used in local bars, as it does not break as easily as other glasses.

3. Beer Stein: German for "beer stone". This is heavier than the traditional tankard and comes with or without a lid. The stein is popular in European countries and can hold up to 33oz of a favored dark beer.

4. Wheat Beer Glass: This glass is taller than a pint to allow room for the beer's foam (head). This glass was designed to produce the head of foam, not just for appearance, but for the aroma to also be enjoyed. The downside to this taller glass is that the beer will warm quicker.

If you drink cocktails or hard liquor, your glassware depends on what type of alcohol that is being consumed. Some of the most popular include:

5. Martini Glass: This is the glass most think of when the word cocktail is mentioned. It is a cone shaped bowl, placed on a stemmed base. This shape is just not for looks, it allows the drinker to hold the drink by the stem as keeps the drink temperature from fluctuating and tampering with the taste. There is a variation to this glass and that is a "stub glass" which the cone shaped bowl is placed directly on the base.

6. Collins Glass: This tumbler holds 10oz to 14oz of your favorite mixed drinks and named after the Tom Collins drink, but can be used for other mixed drinks as well. It is the tallest of the tumblers.

7. Highball Glass: This middle tumbler holds 8oz to 10oz of your favorite mixed drinks.

8. Old Fashion Glass: This is the smallest of the tumblers holding only 6oz to 10oz of a mixed drink. It is also known as a Lowball or Rocks glass. This small tumbler is used primarily to serve such drinks on whiskey on the rocks (common term for ice).

9. Shot Glass: Just as the name implies, it only holds a small amount of liquor that can either be drunk or used as a measuring glass for more involved drinks. Generally holds only an ounce of liquor.

If you drink wine, sparkling wine or champagne, your glassware depends on what type of drink that is being consumed. Some of the most popular include:

10. Wine Glass: It is built much like a martini glass; however, the bowl is much larger and deeper. The drink holds the glass by its stem so body heat does not affect wine temperature. If you drink red wine, the bowl will be rounder and wider. If you drink white wine, the bowl will be thinner and have a smaller opening.

11. Snifter: It has a wide bowl and a short stem, which allows the drink to hold or cup the bowl which also the drink to warm and thereby releasing aroma and trapping it within the narrow mouth.

12. Champagne: Tall narrow bowl, which allows the carination to form and travel up the glass. The shape of this glass keeps the bubbles longer so the drinker can enjoy the feel while drinking. This glass can also be used for sparkling wines.