As we’ve discussed before, different glasses serve different type of beers. The glass Kwak comes in closely resembles the traditional “yard of beer” that been used since the 17th century. Tradition holds that these glasses’ elongated shape was designed for stage coach drivers, who were able to rest the glass in their stirrups and then drink from them without having to bend over. At 9.5 inches Kwak glasses are not nearly as tall as yard glasses, but it remains a fun and unusual way to enjoy your beer.

In a nutshell: Although best known for its unusual glassware, Kwak is a tasty treat no matter how you drink it.

Review: Once you get past the gimmick of the fancy glass Kwak is actually a pretty tasty beer, regardless of what you drink it out of. It’s brewed in the style of a Belgian amber, which is a lesser know type of beer that deserves more attention. It has the body and hops of classic pale ale but with quite a bit of sweetness to it, thanks to generous portions of Belgian candi sugar. This creates a nicely balanced but very sweet beer that goes down easy.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Why? Because ice cold beer numbs your taste buds and doesn’t allow the beer to develop its full flavor potential. Ice cold anything numbs your taste buds, just like it will with any part of your body, that’s just what ice does. Drinking your beer at ice cold temperatures may be a great way to cool off but it’s also a great way to keep from fully tasting your beer.

Although the optimal temperature for each style of beer varies, a safe bet is to drink your beer when it’s slightly below room temperature, say around 50 to 60 degrees. This will ensure maximum sensation for your tongue and maximum enjoyment for you.

Don’t have a thermometer handy? Just set your beer on the counter for a few minutes after taking it out from the fridge and if you at a bar, avoid chilled glasses.

If you want to get more precise with the proper temperature from one style to another, there is a handy chart from Real Beer for the details.

• Fruit beers at 40-50° F.
• Wheat beers and pale lagers at 45-50° F.
• Pale ales and amber or dark lagers at 50-55° F.
• Strong ales, such as barley wines and Belgian ales, at 50-55° F.
• Dark ales, including porters and stouts, at 55-60° F.

As they suggest, the stronger the brew the closer to 60° degrees you want your beer to be.

Now, you’re probably thinking, “but I’ve tried warm beer before, it tasted gross.” You’re right, it probably was gross, especially if it was a light lager like Coors Light or Bud Light. Unfortunately here in America many major brewers put a premium on value over quality, which means they count on you never getting a proper taste of their light lagers. Beyond that though, the lower the alcohol in the beer the lower the temperature should and many light beers tend to be relatively light in the alcohol as well compared to many craft brews.