Why does Sugar Creek Brewing use etched glasses with hidden designs at the bottom?
Answered at 13:45 in The Critical Importance of Well-Maintained Draft Lines · Unfiltered Brew
Why does Sugar Creek Brewing use etched glasses with hidden designs at the bottom?
The etching at the bottom of Sugar Creek's glasses, including the Wright Brothers plane, serves a functional purpose called nucleation that brings bubbles up and maintains a nice foam layer on top of the beer. The foam layer is critical because it prevents the beer from getting oxidized, releases the aroma, and provides texture and mouthfeel. While Sugar Creek initially tried to give custom branded glassware to tap room patrons following Belgian brewery tradition, the company lost approximately $35,000 in stolen glassware in its first year, forcing them to limit these special glasses to special occasions or retail sales.
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In short
The etching at the bottom of Sugar Creek's glasses, including the Wright Brothers plane, serves a functional purpose called nucleation that brings bubbles up and maintains a nice foam layer on top of the beer.
Eric Flanagan, Brewery Founder at Sugar Creek Brewing Company · The Critical Importance of Well-Maintained Draft Lines · Unfiltered Brew · answer at 13:45
Key takeaways
- The etching at the bottom of Sugar Creek's glasses, including the Wright Brothers plane, serves a functional purpose called nucleation that brings bubbles up and maintains a nice foam layer on top of the beer.
Quote to remember
“When you've got a bestseller and you know it's the bread and butter of your company, anytime you think about changing a color or a pack tech or a gloss or a semi coat it's just scary.”
— Eric Flanagan
The full answer · about 4 min
The etching at the bottom of Sugar Creek's glasses, including the Wright Brothers plane, serves a functional purpose called nucleation that brings bubbles up and maintains a nice foam layer on top of the beer. The foam layer is critical because it prevents the beer from getting oxidized, releases the aroma, and provides texture and mouthfeel. While Sugar Creek initially tried to give custom branded glassware to tap room patrons following Belgian brewery tradition, the company lost approximately $35,000 in stolen glassware in its first year, forcing them to limit these special glasses to special occasions or retail sales.
Key facts
- Sugar Creek Brewing Company: 10th year of operation
- Canning plate cost: $1,500 to $2,000 per plate
- Big O represents approximately 60% of Sugar Creek's volume in stores
- Sugar Creek lost approximately $35,000 in missing branded glassware in its first year
- Belgian wit beer recipe dates back to the 1500s