Glassware

I'll keep it relatively brief, but wanted to point this out. New Belgium, following in the steps of Sam Adams and hundreds of Belgian breweries, have created a "special" glass for their beer. You can purchase it here.

In typical fashion, each feature of the glass serves a specific purpose: a narrow opening that enhances aroma, a globe shape that focuses the aroma, etchings in the bottom that create surface blemishes to encourage bubbling, it is stemmed to prevent warming from the hand.

These glasses provide a couple of functions other than the specifics pointed out. First, they are great marketing pieces, providing another avenue of customer recognition. It also presents the product in a unique fashion that allows the brewery to be creative in a manner in-tune with its own philosophies. Finally, from a pure price perspective, it provides an interesting presentation in a respectful manner and, chances are, it isn't a full 16oz pint - yet bars can, and will, charge full "pint" prices. Thus, more servings from each barrel at the same price.