12 Days of Dappered – Better Glassware

It’ll be here before you know it. So if you’re in need of a few ideas on what to give (or in some cases, what to put on your own list) this year, this is the place to be for the next couple weeks. Our annual 12 days of Dappered covers highly giftable ideas with a few examples piggy-backed onto each. All will be reasonably affordable. See the growing archive here.

We’re skipping wine here. Why? Because it seems like there are more different types of wine glasses than there are elements on the periodic table. And while the same could be said for the beer/cocktail side, it seems like beer & cocktail glasses are just a bit more versatile. Consider pairing up a bottle of the recipients favorite imbibe-able with the glassware to match.

For the Pilsner Drinker: Waterford Pilsner Glasses – $45.77

Class out the… well they’re just really classy. Even if you’re kicking back with a cold one after mowing the lawn on a hot summer day. And you’re in cut off shorts. Still classy. There are many less expensive versions out there, so if $46 for four is out of the budget, you can easily go lower.

For the IPA Drinker: Spiegelau IPA Glasses – $16.99

Created with the help from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, this was “glass #6” of eight different prototypes. Kinda like an overgrown Glencairn Glass (more on those in a second), the tapered base is easy on the eyes and in the hand, and the trimmed up opening helps push the aroma of all those hops towards your nostrils. Nicely priced through Amazon. Usually around twenty bucks a pair.

For the Stout Drinker: Spiegelau Stout Glasses – $20.10

The follow up to the IPA project. This time, Spieglau teamed up with Left Hand Brewing and Rogue. Similar looking to the IPA glass, but shorter with a more pronounced shelf to hold that roasty smooth goodness. More on the development of this glass over here.

For the Cocktail Enthusiast: Leopold Cocktail Coupes

Once upon a time, cocktails were more likely to come in one of these much smaller (6 oz) champagne coupes than the monster martini glasses seen today. Is a 12 oz martini (AKA, The Cougar Fueler) really that necessary? Not only do these smaller buggers look more elegant, the wider bowl makes for an easier hold in crowded environments. Available in standard ($33.95 for 6) or Silver trimmed ($41.95 for 6) for a real retro feel.

For the Whiskey/Scotch Drinker: Glencairn Whiskey Glasses – $34.99

Engineered for single malts and the like. The shape helps gather the aroma, the wide bowl gives you a good look at the color of the spirit, and the whole thing is anchored by a solid base. $35 gets you the set of four. Perfect for sharing some of a favorite Scotch with friends.

For the Alcohol-Free Drinker: Crate&Barrell Highball Glasses – $17.95

Booze-free? Terrific. Highballs are the perfect glasses to fill with sparkling water, good tonic, or ginger beer. Those straight lines are sleeker than your standard tapered pint or juice glass. Want to splurge? Give these squared off highballs a shot.