Like most reviews I have read on here, I found out about these glasses from a Spiegelau tasting even at a local beer and wine store.
I consider myself a beer snob. I have several types of glasses I use to drink certain types of beer in. I do also have your typical American pint glasses. I use these for water and other drinks mostly. I also use these when friends come over because I don't want them to break my good glasses.
I went to this event because it was $35 and you got to keep the glasses! I figured......beer, glasses and a good night, why not?!?!
I didn't have very high expectations and figured, glasses are glasses. I have to say, I was wrong!
When you go to a Spiegelau event, you get a "Joker" glass that you will taste out of along side your Spiegelau glasses. You take the beer and pour it into both glasses, then wait. While waiting, you learn the Spiegelau is owned by Riedel. You also learn that Samuel Adams had Spiegelau design their glass for their Utopius beer.
The event really turns into a history and science lesson; however, the reason you wait to drink is so they can prove to you several things. So, what do you learn? First, these glasses are super thin which seems like a bad thing. The reason however; is due to the density of the glass and the quality. The glasses are made of a crystal-glass combination. The density and thickness make it so the glass doesn't absorb carbonation. This keeps you beer from getting warm and flat. This also helps your beer retain head.
Each glass is designed for a certain type of beer. The design is optimized to help accent certain flavors and put the beer on your tongue a certain way. For anyone who understands how taste buds work and how much smell relates to taste, the shape of their glasses really helps accent the beers flavors and smell!
Now....back to the joker glass. First, you drink the beer out of the Spiegelau glass. Of course, it tastes amazing, still has "head" and is still cold. Next, you drink the beer out of the joker glass. The beer is slightly warm, has no head and is flat! If you hadn't poured the beer yourself, you would swear a bait and switch just happened in order to promote Spiegelau glasses!
If you are a true beer lover (Budweiser lovers need not apply!), you will love these glasses! They really are worth the price of admission!