Jungle Jim's International Market - Six Acres of Food Under One Roof

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Jungle Jim's stocks an ever-expanding selection of specialty, craft-brewed, and imported beers. This array represents beers from at least 30 different countries -- most notably Germany, Czech Republic, Britain, Ireland, Scotland -- as well as including a cornucopia of Belgian beers. This makes Jungle Jim's one of the most diverse outlets for beer on this continent. On the other hand, if you're thirsty for a hard-to-find beer from Argentian, Italy or Croatia -- no problem! Closer to home, you'll find a dizzying variety of specialty domestic microbrews in the store at any point in time. Microbrews include rotating seasonal specialties, so you'll want to come in often to see what we've added recently.

Largest Beer Selection at Jungle Jim's International Market

Largest Beer Selection at Jungle Jim's International Market

More than 800 International Beers and Microbrews
More than 400 U.S. Microbrews from 66 Producers
All the Popular Nnational Brands
Seasonal Microbrews & Collector Beers
Rare Monastery Brews
Non-alcoholic Beers from around the World
Home Brewing Supplies
Beer Tasting Classes
Beer of the Month
Local Favorites
Look on our "Wall of Deals" for reduced Specialty Items

Beer Glassware

Sure, there's a marketing component to beer glassware, but one only needs to look beyond the branding to discover that something bigger is taking place. As soon as the beer hits the glass, its color, aroma and taste is altered, your eye candy receptors tune in, and your anticipation is tweaked. Hidden nuances, become more pronounced, colors shimmer, and the enjoyment of the beer simply becomes a better, more complete, experience.

So which glassware do you use? The answer can often be overwhelming. In Europe, especially Belgium, each brand of beer will often have its own glass. In fact, some breweries have been known to engineer the glass before the beer, and many bars will also stock unique glassware for every brand of beer they serve, which could be hundreds or thousands. And while it's always a good idea to use glassware designed by the brewery for a specific brand of beer, sometimes this is not an option.

Beer Glassware 101

Whether you're searching for that extra edge in tippling or just a different look, the assortment of beer glasses available today can be overwhelming. What do you think of when you think of beer glasses? From pints and steins to pilsners and snifters, the world of beer glasses is as varied as ever, but a few common styles prevail.

Most beer glasses in the United States are 16-ounce pints, often seen with brand logos printed or etched on the side. These simple tapered glasses can be used to serve porters, stouts and ales; they can also double as shakers for mixed drinks (after a good washing, of course!). Pubs in the United Kingdom serve up 20-ounce Imperial pint glasses, which feature a curved lip to allow for a headier foam top. Germany's most famous contribution to beer glasses comes in the form of steins, lidded and open-mouthed. Traditional steins are often crafted from stoneware and accented with pewter lids, while standard mugs are made of clear, heavyset glass. Both styles feature a sturdy handle, perfect for making toasts with friends new and old, and wide mouths encourage hearty gulps. On the other end of the spectrum, snifters help you enjoy subtle scents and flavors in specialty brews, perfect for savoring the "nose" of aromatic Belgian ales. Weizen beer glasses have a unique hourglass shape designed specifically to serve wheat beer, which is available in light, dark, and high-alcohol varieties, and pilsner glasses are just that -- ideal for light "table" beers like their namesake, showcasing color and carbonation with delicate, fluted style.

So come check out all the styles of beer glassware we carry on your next visit to the Beer Department at Jungle Jim's International Market and as always, we will be happy to assist you in choosing the right glassware for your drinking pleasure.

Wheat beer glass
A wheat beer glass is a glass used to serve wheat beer, known also as Weizenbier or Weißbier. The German glass generally holds 500 millilitres with room for foam or "head". It is much taller than a pint glass. It is very narrow at the bottom and slightly wider at the top. In other countries such as Belgium, the glass may be 250 ml or 330 ml. The tall glass provides room for the often thick, fluffy heads produced by the style, which traps aromas and is visually pleasing.

Pint glass
A pint glass is a drinking vessel holding an imperial pint (568 ml ˜1.2 US pints) of liquid and is usually used for beer. Three common shapes of pint glass are found (conical, jug, and flared top), though others are available. Pints are considered good for serving stouts, porters and English ales

Pilsner glass
A pilsner glass is a glass used to serve many types of light beers, but is intended for its namesake, the pilsner. Pilsner glasses are generally smaller than a pint glass, usually in 250 ml or 330 ml sizes. They are tall, slender and tapered. Wheat beer glasses are often mistakenly referred to as pilsner glasses, but a true pilsner glass has an even taper without curvature. Pilsner glasses are made to showcase the color, effervescence, and clarity of the pilsner, as well as to maintain a nice head.

Beer stein
A beer stein is a traditionally-German beer tankard or mug, made of pewter, silver, wood, porcelain, earthenware or glass; usually with a hinged lid and levered thumblift. The lid was implemented during the age of the Black Plague, to prevent diseased flies from getting into the beer.

Flute glass
A flute glass is the preferred serving vessel for Belgian lambics and fruit beers. The narrow shape helps maintain carbonation, while providing a strong aromatic front. Flute glasses display the lively carbonation, sparkling color, and soft lacing of this distinct style.

Goblet or Chalice
Chalices and goblets are large, stemmed, bowl-shaped glasses adequate for serving heavy Belgian ales, German bocks, and other big sipping beers. The distinction between goblet and chalice is typically in the glass thickness. Goblets tend to be more delicate and thin, while the chalice is heavy and thick walled. Some chalices are even etched on the bottom to attract carbon dioxide and provide a stream of bubbles for maintaining a nice head.

Snifters
Typically used for serving brandy and cognac, a snifter is ideal for capturing the volatiles of aromatic beers, such as Belgian ales, India pale ales, barleywines and wheat wines. The shape helps trap the volatiles, while allowing swirling to agitate them and produce an intense aroma.

Tulip glass
A tulip glass not only helps trap the aroma, but also aids in maintaining large heads, creating a a visual and olfactory sensation. The body is bulbous, but the top flares out to form a lip which helps head retention. It is recommended for serving Scottish ales, barleywines, Belgian ales and other aromatic beers.

Stange and Becher
A Stange (trans: 'Stick' or 'Bar'), is the preferred glass shape for the serving of Kölsch. Altbier, traditionally served in a Becher, although slightly shorter and fatter than a Stange, is similar in shape. Both usually hold between 200-300cc and are cylindrical(Although, Altbier can sometimes be seen served in more conical glasses).

Beer Boot
Beer boots, Bierstiefeln have over a century of history and culture behind them. It is commonly believed that a general promised his troops to drink beer from his boot if they were successful in battle. When the troops prevailed, the general had a glassmaker fashion a boot from glass to fulfill his promise without tasting his own feet and to avoid spoiling the beer in his leather boot. Since then, soldiers have enjoyed toasting to their victories with a beer boot. At gatherings in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, beer boots are often passed among the guests for a festive drinking challenge. Since the movie Beer Fest appeared in 2006, Beer Boots have become increasingly popular in the United States. Beer boots are made of either manufactured pressed glass or mouth blown glasses by skilled artisans in form of a boot.

"A New Glass"
An unnamed glass design was released by the Samuel Adams Brewery. This glass was created by Jim Koch, founder of Sam Adams brewery, to attempt to "elevate the craft beer experience". The "New Glass" is shaped similar to a wheat beer glass, with a large bulb near the top of the glass, only shorter. The lip of the glass is turned outward where the wheat beer glass would end, turned inward. Other notable characteristics of the glass include: laser etchings on the bottom of the glass, thinner walls, and a bead inside the rim.

Information

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What is beer? Interested in knowing the different kinds of lagers and ales?
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Wine and Beer Library Manager Dave Schmerr was honored as a 2004 Market Watch Leader.
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