Oddball Drinking Gadgets
Beer has inspired a variety of odd games, glasses and gadgets. Some were necessary, while others—well, not so much.
By far, the most intimidating way to drink your brew is from an authentic Viking drinking horn. Today’s horns are polished, sealed and then decorated with pewter, silver or leather detailing. The very best serve a dual function: the cap can be removed, converting the drinking horn into a blowing horn. Drink down your øl or your öl, then terrify your enemies with a blast. Available at www.beerglasshopper.com
The beer yard is pretty hard to miss; you have no doubt seen one perched on a dusty pub shelf. Its origins are debatable, but many agree that this ancient relative of the funnel appeared at the coronation of King James II in 1685. The heavy bulb-shaped bottom and long fluted top make drinking from the yard a challenge, especially when following the single-draught rules. Unlike a funnel, there is no way to stop the deluge of brew from soaking you and any unlucky passers-by once gravity has taken charge. Your best bet: slowly twirl the yard while furiously gulping, to coax air into the bulb gently—that, or don’t wear a white shirt. Also available at www.beerglasshopper.com.
The Klein Stein is an odd little glass that is sure to confuse most of your guests before they even have a sip of the brew on tap. This is by definition a stein because it has a lid, so to speak; and you only need one hand to drink from it. Made from glass, this single-surface double-chamber glass is a novel collector’s piece: a Möbius loop you can drink from. Available at www.kleinbottle.com.
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