Hands On Review: Spiegelau IPA Glasses
Here’s a Hands on Look at Spiegelau’s IPA glasses. These glasses have a 19 ounce capacity, they are dishwasher safe and they are designed specifically for the enjoyment of IPA style beers.
Front of the box
Side of the box: “In collaboration with two of the leading IPA brewers in the United States, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head and Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada, Spiegelau has created the new standard for IPA beer glassware. Achieved through a series of design and tasting workshops in which hundreds of possible designs were considered, the brewers ultimately and unanimously chose, by secret vote, one glass – ‘number 6’ – from a final lineup of eight custom-made prototypes. Designed to showcase the complex and alluring aromatic profiles of American “hop-forward” IPA beers, preserve a frothy head, enhance taste and mouthfeel, and present a comfortably wide opening for the drinker to savor each beer, Spiegelau’s latest design is the go-to vessel for enjoying IPA. Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada champion US hop farming. The breweries and donating their portion of the proceeds from this collaboration to benefit advances in hop research.”
Other side of the box: Durable, Lightweight, Brilliant with Max. Dishwasher Safety.
Unboxed
Spiegelau logo on the bottom of the glass. When these first came out there was some discussion about where they laser etched nucleation point was at in these glasses. I spoke with Spiegelau reps at NHC in 2014 and was told…. it’s the dot in the center of each glass. This feature aid in slowly releases CO2 bubbles to enhance flavor and aroma.
Looking great filled with More Beer’s Pliny the Elder
I’m really happy with these glasses. They feel really well made and I like the way they look. These have been my go to IPA glasses since receiving them.
Spiegelau 2-Pack Beer Classics IPA Glass, 19-Ounce – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
Ken Grossman and Sam Calagione talking about the developement of Spiegelau’s IPA Glass
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I see that the Spiegelau IPA Glasses are available from some sites both with and without the nucleation point. I got 2 from Amazon and they both had it. Being clumsy, I eventually broke them (took about 1.5 years) I replaced them with a set of 6. Two had the point and four did not. Not sure what to think.
I’ve been using mine for about a month, and I really like them. Definitely thin, but I’m sure that’s purposeful design. They say they’re dishwasher safe, but I (when I say I, I mean my wife) typically wash them by hand just to be safe (which is actually difficult given the width of the mouth and base).
I have had a set of these for about 6 months. Crystal, just like their fine wine glasses that i have owned and used for almost 10 years. They do fine in the dishwasher, just treat them as you would any fine crystal (ask your grandmother, if formal business dinners weren’t part of your childhood family torture regimen).
The glasses produce a mighty large foam head, you cannot pour the entire 12 oz beer in one pour. If you have facial hair, prepare for foam moustache!
I was thinking about buying one from my local beer store, but the glass they are made of is paper-thin. i gave it a slight squeeze and it nearly shattered in my hand
The glass is on the thin side. I believe it’s that’s by design to allow the beer to easily warm up. I wouldn’t suggest squeezing the thing. My set is still in use and they continue to work swell.
I would hope so, but I saw the “durable and lightweight” part and then the second-to-last photo looked a little suspect.
Are they made of glass or some type of acrylic or plastic?
lol… I’m sure they didn’t go through all that trouble to make a plastic cup.
Hideously ugly old woman looking glasses.
I think they actually look pretty cool. I think this is one of those… beauty is in the eye of the beholder sort of situations my friend.
That claim is probably based on the name laser etched in the bottom of the glass. In europe most glass used to serve beer has a logo laser etched inside the bottom as it forces out a little CO2 to constantly feed the head with foam.
Any truth to the “preserve a frothy head, enhance taste and mouthfeel” claims?