Message 14665 of 39188 in General Discussion

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> OK, now out of preferance I HATE when  places pour beer in frosted 
> mugs, it just tastes bad, but I remember learning something about 
> what it actually does to a beer in bartending school, although it was 
> possibly on a day we were using real alchohal as opposed to food 
> colouring as I have NO idea what was told to me, I understand draught 
> is supposed to be poured into a recently washed wet glass, however 
> could someone please inform me as to the benifits of a clean glass 
> over a frosted one?

The worst thing that a frosted beer mug will do to a beer is make it too cold. 
Many people in my market, however, like a beer so cold that ice crystals form 
on the top of the glass.  I will never judge anyone's presonal preference, but 
the colder a beer is, less aromas are exuding from the beer, therby dulling 
the flavor.

Until 6 months ago I would have sworn that serving beer out of frosty mugs 
will water down the beer as well.  A server and I did an experiment where we 
placed an icy pint upside-down on a napkin and a mixing tin over the pint to 
contain evaporation.  The napkin was completely dry, with the exception of a 
few drops. (definately not enough to significantly water down the beer).

I have never heard that draft beer has to be poured in recently-washed-wet 
glasses.  Why?

As to the benefits to a clean glass versus a frosted one, I would argue that 
both should be clean.  Dirty glasses will cause poor head retention and cause 
a beer to loose it's "zing" faster than a clean glass.  As a general rule (but 
not always) a beer with bubbles larger than a ml or bubbles sticking to the 
side of the glass indicate an unclean-glass.

Steve
www.barspooge.com