Archive for January, 2010
Pint glasses come in a wide array of shapes and designs, but two shapes of beer glassware are most common. Nonic-shaped pint glasses are found everywhere. Also referred to as conical glasses, they slightly taper out at the bottom, and then bulge more widely near the top. Tulip glasses are also popular. They have a similar shape to the nonic glass, except that they are curvier with a more exaggerated flare — almost like an hourglass — and often taper in slightly at the very top.
Pint glasses may also be found in a number of stylized shapes and designs. The most common of these is a boot shape — hearkening back to some cultural practices of drinking from a wooden shoe. Some pint glasses also contain a metal lid of some sort that can be flipped up, like a traditional beer stein. Etchings, dimpled glass, and coloration are all variations that may also be found on pint glasses, though modern pint glasses tend to be fairly Spartan in their appearance.
Pint glasses are a type of glassware usually used to hold beers, ales, and lagers. They are so-named because they usually hold a British pint of liquid. Pint glasses come in many shapes, textures, and designs, and they are a staple of the modern pub or bar.
A British or Imperial pint is equal to 1/8 of a gallon, or 568 mL of liquid. In the United States, a pint is equivalent to 16 ounces, or roughly 473 mL. Most pint glasses follow the British measure of a pint, though oversized glasses are also available, and in the United States, many pubs use glasses that hold a US pint — which is just over 80% of the liquid found in an Imperial pint glass.
Since the head that forms on a beer necessarily takes up some space, and since many people wish to retain the head, oversized pint glasses are sold so that a full pint of liquid can be poured with a head. These glasses are also known as lined glasses, because they usually bear some sort of marking at the pint line to let the pourer know when he or she has poured a pint of liquid into the glass.
Not everybody has a natural taste for wine. Just as a fine wine must age to reach peak quality, a wine palate must do the same in order to fully appreciate complex flavors. Training your wine palate allows wine drinkers to recognize the different flavors in the wines they consume.
To start out research all the flavors common to wines. Chocolate, blackberry, black pepper, strawberry and apricot are some flavors common to wine. Get familiar with these flavors by tasting each of the foods. Also make sure to smell the foods and get comfortable with their aromas. This process should be repeated a few times in order for your palate to process the tastes and smells.
Sample a variety of wines from different regions and countries, and always be sure to get a new wine glass each time you test a new varietal. Try talking to yourself or a friend aloud as you taste the wines. Verbalizing your thoughts and impressions will allow you to better remember each flavor.
After you feel your wine palate has been thoroughly developed host a wine party. Give each guest a different bottle of wine and tell them to bring their favorite corkscrews from home. This will allow your guests to feel they are a valuable part of the process.
There’s nothing better than a glass pitcher of iced tea in the summer months, and it’s so simple to make that there’s no reason not to keep a pitcher in the refrigerator at all times. You can make iced tea with all varieties of tea, though some seem to taste better cold. For example, raspberry, lemon, and peach teas are summer favorites amongst iced teas. While it’s possible to use green, black, and mint tea for iced tea, these varieties tend not to capture the same flavor when iced. You’ll need to adjust the amount of teabags used depending on the size of the picture. For two liters, 5-6 tea bags are appropriate, for one liter, 2-3 tea bags will work well. You might also want to add sugar, but be sure to stir the sugar in and continue to taste the tea; there’s nothing worse than a tea that is ruined because it is too sweet.
Keep adding crushed ice to the tea for the best taste, and remember not to add too much ice otherwise it will dilute the flavor of the tea.