For India pale ale (IPA) lovers who’ve always wished for a more robust taste to their favorite drink, a new glass might just do the trick.
Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, both known for their IPAs, have collaborated with German glasswaremaker Spiegelau to launch a beer glass that is designed to enhance the taste of the ale, which doesn’t typically have a special vessel in the way Belgian brews and porters do.
Traditional pint glasses reportedly warm up IPAs too quickly and kill off the ale’s hops characteristics. The new design — which debuts in stores and online in April — is meant to maximize the IPA tasting experience by having a thin wall for cold retention and a slender shape to amplify the hops aroma. The wavelike ridges at the bottom also aerate the drink to balance flavors. The result? A beer that greets your taste buds with a perfect combination of creaminess, sweetness and acidity — or your regular IPA served up in a pretty neat glass.