It's long been held that certain glasses enhance the experience of drinking wine, whiskey, cognac, etc. I'm a beer-drinker, so I've never paid much attention to the shape of my glass -- until now.

Samuel Adams claims to have redesigned the beer glass -- not to make it better looking or easier to hold, but in a way that makes the beer taste better. Changes include a beaded rim and outward turning lip (presumably to help emancipate the beer's full flavor), and the walls are thinner to keep your brewski colder while you hold it.

After taking their inspiration from French wine experts, the company turned over 30 of the best designs to a team of scientists, who tested each glass for features like rim angle, top diameter, etc. Finally, after much deliberation, the final prototype was ready, and sent to a German glassmaker for mass production.

I know the company wasn't focusing on looks, but I think the new design is actually more aesthetically appealing than it's more straightforward predecessor. But the real question is: does it make the beer taste better? You may have to do a little field research to find that answer for yourself.