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Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
Latest Posts
- 57/m: Love beer, but it doesn’t love me as much anymore
- No Stupid Questions Wednesday – ask anything about beer
- Does anyone else get treated like a beer snob for ordering literally anything that isn’t a macro lager?
- Is there a polite way to refuse a beer that’s being served in the wrong glassware without making everyone at the table uncomfortable?
- # What’s the most pretentious thing you’ve ever said about beer that you secretly didn’t understand yourself?
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Navigating Beer Glassware Etiquette: A Guide to Polite Refusal
When it comes to dining out, many of us have our preferences — especially when it involves craft beer. Recently, I found myself grappling with a dilemma that many beer enthusiasts may encounter: How do you politely refuse a beer served in the wrong glass without creating an awkward situation at the table?
During a recent dinner outing with colleagues, I ordered a refreshing hefeweizen, only to receive it in a standard pilsner glass. While it may seem like a minor issue to some, the glassware plays a significant role in enhancing the beer’s flavor and aroma. The design of a hefeweizen glass is specifically crafted to concentrate its delightful aromas and support a proper head formation, which are both essential for maximizing the drinking experience.
In that moment, I faced a decision. My coworkers might have perceived all beer glasses as interchangeable, and I was hesitant to be the one who appeared fussy by requesting the right one. Ultimately, I chose to sip my drink and suppress the nagging thought of how much better it would have tasted in the appropriate glass.
Upon observing the bar area, I noticed that they indeed possessed the correct hefeweizen glasses, suggesting that the server had simply opted for convenience over consideration. This experience left me pondering a common question: How can one tactfully handle such matters in social settings?
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here are some tips on how to address it without seeming overly particular:
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Choose the Right Moment: If there’s a natural pause in conversation, that could be the perfect time to raise your concern without drawing too much attention to it.
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Be Polite and Positive: Rather than framing your request as a complaint, approach it with enthusiasm. For example, you can say, “I love hefeweizens and enjoy the unique experience of having them in their proper glass! Would it be possible to try it in a hefeweizen glass instead?”
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Express Knowledge: Use your passion for beer to your advantage. A light-hearted comment about the glass’s role in enhancing the flavor can help fellow diners appreciate your request rather than see it as a fuss.
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Be Ready to Accommodate: It’s important to remain adaptable. If the server is unable to fulfill your request, thank them for their effort and enjoy your beer nonetheless—sometimes, a good beer is still