During one of my increasingly rare beer outings yesterday, I ordered a beer in the bottle because it was the best beer they place had. The bar tender brought me a glass. Just as I was about to pour my beer, I asked the bar tender for another glass…dirty.
After I asked for a new glass, I turned to my friend and stated, in no uncertain terms, that it wasn’t a matter of germs at all. Do you ever have those moments when you find yourself somewhat comical based on something you do? I do. This was one of those moments. I realized something sort of zany about myself that has been occurring in the past year or so.
Perhaps “militant” could describe my attitude about drinking after others and their germs ridden glasses; at least that was my attitude a few years ago. These days, I really don’t think much about it. Maybe I’ve developed less discretion about drinking after people, have changed attitudes about germs, or just haven’t gotten a wicked case of mono but I pretty readily tipple after someone else these days.
So, the funny thing about my statement was simply based on the fact that I was indifferent about the germs and more concerned about the appearance of the brew and the head retention (I’ve written on this topic before). Called it a case of misjudged priorities, call it obsession, just don’t call my glass dirty because that would hurt me a little too badly.
HA! Your not the only one. I’ll also ask for another one if I see them pouring into a frosted glass.
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beer_scientist Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 7:29 am
I’m very careful about that one too. Too cold a beer turns me off. I had a Chimay the same day as this and it was far too cold already and then they poured it into a frosted glass. Just drank it slowly.
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Frosted glasses aren’t the worst transgression in the world to me, although a dirty one is kinda gross. I actually like some brews in a frosted glass, like a nice IPA or a Pale ale. It kind of adds to the refreshment for me. I guess I’m just not as evolved on the evolutionary ladder as many beer drinkers. A dirty glass is another matter entirely, Like you Mike, not because of the germs, but more because of the look, and I would constantly wonder if I was picking up flavors that were off.
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beer_scientist Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Agreed about the off flavors. Unless the beer is called Lipstick IPA, I’m not going to be allowing Mary Kay to hang around. That’s the other part I didn’t mention aside from head retention…glad you brought it up.
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Clean glasses and utensils are the least an establishment can provide. I don’t think its crazy at all to ask for a clean glass for whatever the reason.
It ALMOST makes it worth just drinking it out of the bottle!
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beer_scientist Reply:
December 12th, 2010 at 9:11 am
I need the glass. The beer opens up in the glass, so I rarely drink out of the bottle…but if it comes down to that.
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