Size Matters
Why not all beer should be the same size
The tallboy has become so standard that the 33cl bottles and cans now feel both small and mispriced. The 473ml (16oz) tall can is just how beer comes now. This makes some sense as the size is identical to a US pint. Dwarfed of course by the imperial pint at 591ml ( 20oz). This universality may be appropriate if beer itself were universal, but it is of course, not. Half a liter of European Pilsner is a lot different than a half litre of barrel aged imperial stout, or a barley wine for that matter. For one, the ABV is enormously different. In some cases more than double. That can lead to irresponsible serving practices both at the taproom and at home. More conscientious establishments who specialize in slinging high gravity beers, habitually serve them in smaller and more reasonable quantities. But not all are so attentive.
The pour size, and vessel size for that matter, go beyond the alcohol though. A beer that needs to be enjoyed cold, ought to be served in a size conducive to a responsible rate of consumption at or around that temperature. A cold pale lager on a hot day, skunking aside, will warm up to beyond ideal pretty quickly. A smaller pour will have a fighting chance, where a novelty giant glass will be warm and lifeless well before the finale.
Drinkability is a consideration as well. Sour beers can be wonderful when done properly. The examples that garner less attention can be one dimensional acid bombs, perhaps interesting for a sip or two, but not a full glass. Even the multifaceted, mixed fermentation sours, whose production was the result of diligent care and commitment wear out their welcome after some time. The big complex flavours of the imperial stouts, barley wines, and Belgian quads require time and attention. A full pour would be not only overwhelming, but time consuming.
This brings us back to the packaging. My fridge contains many tallboys with ABV numbers over ten. Had they been the smaller cans or bottles I would have likely spent an evening with each. But as it stands, they sit there, intimidating, and ignored. Thankfully these have some longevity because I won’t be drinking those alone.
A smaller pour in a bigger glass is the prime way to enjoy beer of every variety, in every situation. It takes time to pull oneself from their comfort zone, and so big pours and big glasses will be around for a while, but when we can, matching size to gravity and intensity is paramount to a safe and enjoyable experience.