Beer Clean Glass

Beer belongs in a glass!

That might not be a surprise for most of you, but many people still believe beer is meant to be consumed directly from a bottle or can without a significant difference in taste. As it turns out, there are actually many reasons to pour a beer in a glass. Not only that, but it should be a beer clean glass. Keep reading to find out what that is and why!

Beer Clean Glass Day

Every year, the fourth Saturday of April is Beer Clean Glass day: a day dedicated to the importance of good service standards both at retail and home.  

What do we actually mean by “beer clean” glass? Obviously, you should always use a clean glass to drink anything. “Beer clean” glass is described by the Brewers Association as a glass that is “free of any visible soil and marks, free of foam-killing residues (like soap, grease, or fat) and lingering aromatics such as sanitizer.” In order for a glass to be considered “beer clean”, it should therefore be cleaned in a way that ensures that these undesirable effects are not present.

The image above, created by the Cicerone Certification Program, shows that a beer clean glass is free of any bubbles clinging on the inside surface of the glass. It is also better for head retention, maintaining the beer’s foam which will deposit lacing down the glass. 

Whatever the beer style, a beer should be poured in a beer clean glass, which will elevate its characteristics and appearance.

Pour your beer in a glass!

As we said in the beginning, beer belongs in a glass! Firstly, by pouring the beer in a beer clean glass you reveal its colour, body and clarity. Some carbonation is also released that forms the foam head and reduces the amount of gas that is consumed. But the main reason is to experience the full effect of a beer’s flavour and aroma. You can easily smell the beer before even taking the first sips, which boosts your sensory experience. Choosing the appropriate glass for each beer style is also important, but that is a different topic that we may write about in a future post. 

Usually, most people don’t have to worry about the cleanliness of their glass, as the staff at your favourite watering hole should take care of it. However, now that most of us enjoy our beers at home, it’s good to know how to get the most out of our favourite craft beers. 

Raise a beer clean glass and enjoy your beer!!