Yes, blogging about a beer glass as being high tech may be a bit of a stretch, but you’ve got to
agree that at least a certain amount of technology goes into product design. So when I
viewed Sam Adam’s new beer glass while in last in Boston, I gained a new level of
appreciation for the technology behind the new design.
This is no ordinary glass. Sam Adams’ CEO, Jim Koch, stated, "We wanted to create a glass that offers beer lovers a full sensory drinking experience by fully showcasing Samuel Adams Boston Lager's complex balance of malt and hop flavors. This glass achieves that mission." In designing the new glass, Mr. Koch reached out to Tiax, the world-renowned sensory experts, for assistance in creating a glass that would showcase the key attributes of Samuel Adams Boston Lager.
The goal of the new design is to deliver sweetness from the malt, maximize the hops’ aroma and flavor, maintain the ideal temperature, support a rich and creamy head, and sustain the
right amount of carbonation.
This was achieved by designing a glass with laser etchings at the bottom, creating a constant stream of small bubbles. These bubbles release consistent aroma from the beer.
The glass has thin sidewalls and a rounded shape that helps to maintain a more constant temperature. Nearer to the top the glass narrows, maintaining the hop aroma and sustaining
the head of the beer.
At the very top, two interesting design elements enable the glass to deliver complete satisfaction: 1. The out-turned lip is supposed to deliver the beer to the front of the
drinker’s tongue, where sweetness is tasted. 2. A small bead inside the lip of the glass helps to create turbulence, thereby releasing additional flavor and aroma.
If you’re interested in acquiring this bit of new technology, you can find it offered at http://www.samueladams.com/store/drinkit.html.
Having tried the glass--OK, so I actually shared a sip with a friend--and the beer (Sam
Adams Summer Ale), I can tell you with absolute confidence that the glass works. No
question about it. Of course, we never did do a side-by-side analysis of the beer in a
different glass, but I’m up for it!
Let me know what you think by commenting below.
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