Beer is an integral part of Australian society. Almost any occasion, big or small,  seems to give reason for a beer to celebrate.

Our national identity is such that states are defined by their beer of choice and our sports teams play with beer logos emblazened on their chests. Even our Prime Ministers are judged by their ability to down a beer.

Did you know that Increasing beer consumption was actually identified as a strategy to reduce drunkenness in the early colony in a letter from Lord Hobart to governor Philip King in 1802?

What a beautiful country we live in.

As any Australian will tell you, not all beers are created equal. Likewise not all beer glasses are created equal. Their differences are functional as well as cosmetic, so we have outlined the features of a number of common vessels.

Commonly Seen Beer Glasses

Conical – The conical is the most common beer glass used in venues in Australia. The shape of the glass allows beer to circulate while still retaining a head. The shape is also strong, especially in its tempered versions, and stackable.

Nonic – Nonic pints come from the phrase “No-Nick”, which refers to the original purpose behind the design. The glass was designed to be more durable than traditional glasses when being stacked, stored and transported. The nonic is a durable design , however the large surface area at the top has been associated with poor head retention. This means aromas can be lost, which can negatively effect drinking experience.

Stemmed – The idea behind a stemmed beer glass, referred to as goblets or chalices, is that you hold it by the stem. By doing this your hand is less able to transfer heat to the beer, keeping it in better condition.

Dimple – originally designed with the dimples for ease of grip when washing in a tub. Nowadays its used for a nostalgic design. Mugs are advantageous for their insulation and durability. Generally made with thick glass and a handle to grip, both serve the function of keeping the beer colder for longer.Their downside is their large open top. The larger surface area means that it loses its head faster than other glass designs. This means they are probably not the best for beers that are reliant on aroma, they have poor head retention, so they don’t keep the beer in condition very well.

Tulip – A relatively modern design. Similar to the conical yet flares out more towards the top of the glass. It is deemed more suitable for lagers and aromatic beers due to its large bowl.

Activated, Tempered, Nucleated

Tempered – Tempered glass undergoes a process of heat treatment. This process increases the strength of the glass, improving shock resistance and heat resistance. This means that a tempered glass is less likely to break than its untempered counterpart. Tempered glass also breaks differently, forming blunt fragments as opposed to jagged dangerous shards. This means that tempered glasses are safer to have in your venue.

Activated  – The process of activation or nucleation involves increasing the surface area on the bottom of the glass, this can be through laser etching or sand scratching. This increased surface area means there are more points of contact for the dissolved CO2 gas in the beer to bounce off. When the CO2 bounces off these surfaces it forms bubbles, which results in a bigger, longer lasting head. This causes a better olfactory experience from the drinker.

If you need a refresher course on the rules around weights and measures when selling beer check out our guide here

Beer consumption is one topic our staff are always willing to discuss so please contact your rep or call the office on (02) 9052 9111 to continue the conversation.