How to choose the right beer mug?

A beer mug is an integral part of the culture of drinking an intoxicating drink. Properly selected drinkware affects the foam stability of beer. It allows you to best reveal the taste of the drink and does not allow its rich smell to quickly evaporate.

The history of the beer mug

The first mugs were made of wood. They were decorated with plot drawings and intricate symbols reflecting the customs of the region where the drink was produced. Later, mugs began to be made from clay. In this form they existed until the plague epidemic overtook the world in 1346. During the epidemic, each product began to be equipped with a lid for safety purposes. It was forbidden to touch the rim of the mug with bare hands. Its upper part was raised by pressing a special lever located on the side.

In Russia, the beer mug was officially approved only in the 19th century. The container for the drink was made exclusively of glass and was complemented by a polished rim, which served as a kind of fill level mark. The beer mug in the USSR received two measures - 0.25 and 0.5 liters.

Today, a beer mug is used both at home and in catering establishments - bars and restaurants.

Types of beer mugs

Today, manufacturers use a variety of materials: glass, ceramics, steel and even wood. Thanks to this variety, every beer lover can choose exactly the glassware that best meets his requirements.

Glass

Most beer fans choose a glass mug. Such dishes have a smooth inner surface, so the drink flows down its walls more easily. Fast drainage results in better foam. And dense foam better preserves the aroma of an intoxicating drink.

Ceramic

Ceramic products are no less popular than glass mugs. But they usually drink beer from them at home, and not in an establishment. Ceramic keeps drinks cold for a long time. The only drawback of ceramic material is fragility.

Wooden

Wooden mugs are usually purchased for gatherings in the bathhouse. Such material must be treated with oil impregnation, which is absolutely harmless to humans. Beer mugs made of wood are decorated with original carved designs of silhouettes of animals or large birds.

Plastic

Plastic mugs are considered the most budget option. They drink drinks from them during a beach holiday, on picnics or outdoor events. Plastic beer mugs come in different formats: small mugs with a handle, double-walled and disposable.

Design options

Manufacturers offer not only ordinary mugs, but also personalized, collectible and themed glasses. Personalized and themed products are renowned for their exceptional design. Collectible mugs are considered a wonderful gift.
They can decorate your home bar.

The outer part of a classic mug is often decorated with various decorative elements:

• brewery logos;
• emblems of sports clubs;
• signs of memorable events;
• beer-themed drawings;
• cute and funny captions.

To decorate glass glasses, brass or tin linings, leather covers, and stylish engraving are also used. Metal mugs are complemented with traditional Zlatoust engraving using nickel plating, gilding or artistic casting.

What to look for when choosing?

When choosing a beer mug, pay attention not only to the external design, but also to the shape and volume of the product. Please note that each type of beer requires its own glassware:

• for Czech or German lager - a classic beer mug with a handle;
• for top-fermented wheat beer - a conical liter glass;
• for a moderately strong drink - a British pint of “nonik”;
• for traditional Irish ale - a tulip-shaped pint glass;
• for Belgian strong drink - a thistle-shaped pint glass;
• for a strong variety with a strong hop aroma - a standard snifter.

If you like to drink different varieties, choose a universal glassware - a glass that expands from the base to the top. The volume of such a glass is equal to one American pint (0.473 l).

How to wash properly?

Glass mugs can only be washed with running water using an odorless product. To keep your glass crystal clear, try to use a separate sponge rather than a shared sponge.

To keep glassware clean, wash it according to the following procedure:

1. Fill the sink with warmwater and add detergent.
2. Place the glass in the water and leave it there for 5-10 minutes.
3. Gently clean the surfaces of the glass with a soft sponge.
4. Rinse off any remaining foam from the glass with clean warm water.
5. Rinse the container under running cold water.
6. Leave the glass to air dry or dry it with a soft cloth.

A wooden mug can also be washed in hot water and regular detergent. But it should not be dried near strong heat sources or in the sun. It may dry out and burst.

A correctly chosen beer mug is the key to a good taste of beer. Of course, the method of pouring the intoxicating drink into a glass and the temperature at which the drink is served are of considerable importance. But don’t forget that only in the right container can beer reveal its full flavor and aroma.