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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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The Art of Polite Refusal: Declining a Beer Served in the Wrong Glassware
When dining out, especially in the company of colleagues, every decision can feel magnified. Recently, I encountered an interesting dilemma that many beer enthusiasts may relate to. After ordering a hefeweizen during dinner, I was presented with my drink in a standard pilsner glass instead of the more fitting wheat beer glass. While this may seem like a trivial detail, the implications for taste and aroma are significant; the unique design of a hefeweizen glass is crafted to enhance the beer’s fragrance and support its characteristic foamy head.
Despite my appreciation for the nuances of craft beer, I found myself in a predicament. The table was comprised of coworkers who likely viewed all beer glasses as interchangeable, leading me to hesitate at the thought of being perceived as overly critical or picky. Ultimately, I opted to simply accept the beer as it was and tried to dismiss the thought of how much more enjoyable it would have been had it been properly served.
Later, I even spotted the correct glassware resting behind the bar, which further underscored my concern about the situation: The server may have chosen convenience over tradition. This experience left me pondering—what is the right way to request a drink in its appropriate vessel without making the atmosphere uncomfortable?
If you find yourself in similar circumstances, here are a few strategies that could help navigate the situation gracefully:
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Choose Your Moment: Timing is crucial. Wait for a natural pause in the conversation before addressing the issue. This minimizes disruption and allows your request to feel less like a demand.
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Express Enthusiasm: Express your excitement about enjoying the beer. You might say, “I can’t wait to try this hefeweizen! I noticed the glassware might not be ideal, though—could I possibly switch to a wheat beer glass? I think it would really enhance the experience.”
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Be Polite and Casual: Framing your request casually can ease any tension. A friendly smile and a light-hearted tone can make all the difference. It helps to convey your request as a preference rather than a criticism.
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Use Humor: Disarming the situation with a touch of humor can be effective. You could say, “I appreciate the effort, but this glass has me worried my hefeweizen will feel lonely without its proper home! Any chance I could snag the right glass?”
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