Glassware: Nucleation Points

Laser Etched AB Logo

A growing number of glassware have a etching in the bottom of the glass.  These etchings provide a nucleation point.  A nucleation point creates a spot where bubbles can form.  Once these bubbles form they rise to the surface and break.  The process can be beneficial to beer because the bubbles breaking release more aroma.  If given the option to purchase a glass with a nucleation point I would recommend it.

Nucleation etchings come in a variety of shapes from simple to fun.  The bottom of the Samuel Adams new glass has a simple ring while New Belgium has a Bicycle and Anheuser-Busch (AB) has their logo in a tasting glass.  Many people get to the bottom of the glass and comment on how cool it looks but have no idea what that is doing for their beer.

You can tell if the mark on the bottom of the glass is just decoration or beneficial relatively easily.  All you need to do is pour a lighter colored beer and look for a stream of bubbles.  The stream will be pretty obvious and should last until the beer is gone or flat.  Why you would leave a beer out so long it ended up flat is beyond me!