What's the difference between a snifter and a flute? No, this isn't the start to a bad joke. It's a legitimate question that you need to consider when deciding how to enjoy your favorite craft beer.
Different glasses yield different results, and when drinking beer, it's all about the results. From traditional pints to specialty stemmed glasses, what you pour your craft beer into can have a major impact on the taste.
The Snifter
Oddly shaped and best suited for strong beers, the snifter is a craft beer favorite. Its large round bottom curves into a narrow top to optimize beer flow and fluidity.
The short stem and cupped bottom make the snifter the perfect glass for serving brandy, which is how this glass is traditionally used. But it also serves as a fine home for your craft beer.
Turn your glass to about 30 degrees and start your pour down the inside of the narrow top, letting the beer swirl into the bottom. This helps release the rich flavor combinations of your favorite brew.
The Flute
Comparable to, but a bit wider than a champagne flute, the pilsner flute is a tall, slender glass most popular for the unique, ultra-tall view of beer that it conveys when full.
Fill it up and watch the bubbles take a long journey from the bottom to the top of this narrowly designed glassware.
Avoid pouring your craft beer directly to the center and instead take special care to use the tall sides and rotate the glass slightly as you pour.
The Handled Stein
If you've been to an Oktoberfest, you know that this glass and German beer make a great combination.
The dimpled sides and handy handle combine to provide a unique, convenient beer-drinking experience. Having a handle also helps reduce the amount of heat transferring from your hands that can quickly warm a beer.
The thickness of the stein's glass can withstand clinking and dropping, in most cases, while the wide mouth promotes effortless drinking.