Yankee Brew News Archive

Product Review: Miracle Mug Helps Beer Keep Its Head

Originally Published: 03/95

By: Gregg Glaser

Way down in warm, sunny Florida, glass etcher Ira Schneider has invented and

patented a new type of glass beer mug that he claims will "improve the texture

of beer by smoothing, mellowing and eliminating harshness." Say what?

The bottom of the inside of Schneider's 12-ounce mug is etched to roughen and

abrade the surface. This creates an irregular surface area that is greater

than if it were flat. Schneider claims this alteration to the glass surface

creates volumes of tiny bubbles from the CO2 that is natural in the beer.

Schneider goes on to say, "The mug's production of these tiny bubbles interacts with

beer to develop a rich, creamy head that continues to refresh as the beer

stands." He claims that the smoothness of these extra bubbles will actually

improve the taste of "lesser quality" beers. Of course, that begs the

question: Why drink a "lesser quality" beer in the first place?

There is definitely something true in one of Schneider's claims. Have you ever

noticed how bubbles will emanate from just one point, say, on the side of a

glass? That's almost certainly where a scratch can be found. And have you ever

seen the way the bubbles come up from the scratch purposefully etched into the

bottom of a Duvel glass? (Duvel even includes a note when you buy the glass

telling you the scratch is there for a reason, that it's not a defect.)

Schneider's Miracle Mug obviously works on the same principle.

So how well does the Miracle Mug live up to its claims? Gosh darn it if the

little bugger doesn't create a huge head. Even with a slow careful pour down

the side of the mug, a great-sized head forms; one where you have to wait a

couple of minutes for it to settle down in order to take a sip or pour more

beer in the mug. And throughout the time the beer is in the mug, slow but

steady streams of bubbles rise from the etched bottom, keeping a nice head on

the beer and creating a perfect Brussels lace on the sides of the mug. As to

the claim that the Miracle Mug mellows "lesser quality" beers? Well, I don't

get paid enough to taste-test Bud-Miller-Coors Lite-Dry-Ice, etc.

I'd recommend two changes or additions for the Miracle Mug. First, larger beer

glasses would be a good idea. A 12-ounce capacity with a huge head on top

doesn't allow for much beer in the mug. Second, differently shaped beer

glasses would be nice. Many beer enthusiasts like to constantly, almost daily,

change the style of beer they drink, and they also like to drink their beer in

variously shaped glasses. The Miracle Mug is of the style, shape and weight

that reminds me of the type you'll find at Ye Olde Englishe Pub.

The Miracle Mug sells for about $10.00. Schneider is also developing similarly

etched glasses for soft drinks and champagne. His company, Design Studio, can

be reached by phone, 407-968-8931, or by Email, [email protected].