Anybody have thoughts on these beer can shape glasses? Just a gimmick or is there something to the shape of the glass to enhance aroma / overall drinking experience?
Gimmick.
Although I’d argue drinking beer out of any glass is better than not doing so.
Depends on what you consider enhancement of the drinking experience. I imagine the oddly shaped lip of the glass would cause as much beer to dribble down your chin as goes in your mouth. Yeah, gimmick.
I’ll caveat my response by saying I don’t have a refined pallet and I am definitely not a super taster, but I do really like my can shaped glass for pale ales. Not sure why. Maybe it’s all in my head. I don’t use them much beyond that. Usually rely on my tulips and Pilsner glasses for the intended styles. I’ve also found that guests like them for certain beers as well. If that gets more people trying good beer, I’m on board.
That being said, I’m kind of a addicted to glassware and always willing to try something new. I will say I was disappointed with the Sam Adam’s IPA glasses that I won in a work raffle. They did nothing new for me.
Lastly, I’ve found that glassware can be a good jumping off point for a conversation with people who don’t really know much about beer. It helps them make a connection to a beer they try.
If you have a beard the “backward” lip is crazy annoying. The first couple sips go everywhere.
+1
Yeah it’s a little gimmicky, but…the shape of the can-glass does a great job in concentrating foam, which in turn enhances the visual appeal of a beer. And never underestimate how the visual appeal of a beer in a glass affects the perception of how that beer tastes. That said, the shape of this glass doesn’t really enhance aroma, so IMO it’s more suited for beers that are less aroma-dependent.
The shape of this glass does not make the beer dribble down your chin any more than any other shaped glass. You might still dribble beer down your chin, but it won’t be because of the shape.
Dunno, with hard crabs or BBQ a disposable drinking vessel is preferred…IMO, depends on the beer and the circumstances
…and that’s why God made Solo cups.
I’m intrigued by the idea of these can shaped glasses. Like RC and waltsmalt alluded to, if the visual appeal of the glass starts a beer discussion, then they should be a part of my glass collection. It’s a new idea, so it is definitely a gimmick…until it’s not. If they are worthless, I’ll plant my basil in them.
This only begs the question, what is your go-to glass? Different glass for every beer style? I like pilsner glasses, but for some reason I find I drink extremely fast out of them. Something about the shape that makes the beer slide at an inappropriate rate. Not a fan of heavy tankards or big mugs (but the squat dimpled ones are quite nice). I guess an old fashioned pint glass, conical or tuliped, would be my first choice…though I have to confess to putting on airs with a nice stout in a big brandy snifter from time to time. 
A can-shaped glass is the only glass you can use a can koozie with, if that’s important to you.
How are these being talked about as a new thing? I’ve seen these floating around for at least the past eight or nine years.
Same here. And I seem to recall an earlier incarnation, back in the '70s when some fast food chain was giving away can shaped glasses printed with various soft drink labels – though of course cans were less distinctly pinched at the top and bottom then.
As for my preference, per Megary’s question, I can appreciate different glasses having different effects on our perception. I have a few basic types. I use them for said effects sometimes. I’ve probably acquired, on impulse and over the years, dozens of styles I didn’t ultimately enjoy drinking from. By default, I admit I’m a basic mug guy. Ten sided or dimpled, it just seems like what beer belongs in. And I don’t like Pilsner glasses either. Where one might be called for, I prefer a Willi.
Seems the obvious answer, but we’ve never bothered. Drink of choice with hard crabs in my family is Heineken, in either the can or the bottle. (As opposed to the SMC-only 10-oz canned Budweiser, which is the local “correct” beer for crabs…and what the other side of my family prefers. And yes, the 10-oz can makes Budweiser taste better.)
Well, yeah, the less of it the better! ;D
More like any beer tastes less when it’s ice cold, so by having a smaller can more of the available supply is still chilling in the cooler.
Honestly, I wish craft beers came in a 10 oz. size. I don’t want a bomber of 10% ABV stout…but a four pack of 10 oz. cans sounds better.