Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Spiegelau have created a new standard for IPA glassware.

Whether you are a craft beer aficionado or are just discovering India Pale Ales, the new glass will change the way you experience hop-forward beers.

Wave-like ridges aerate IPAs on their way into and out of the glass.

"I've been a longtime believer in the importance of using quality glassware to enhance the enjoyment of quality craft beer," says Dogfish Head Founder and President Sam Calagione. "The process of collaborating on the design of this hop-centric glass takes this concept to the next level."

Calagione, his wife, Mariah, and Sierra Nevada's father-son team of Ken and Brian Grossman worked hand-in-hand with Spiegelau to bring this glass to life. Through a series of design and tasting sessions, the team created a glass with:

• Thin, round walls to maintain proper temperature longer.
• A slender, bowed shape to amplify hop aromas.
• Wave-like ridges to aerate beer on its way in and out of the glass.
• A wide mouth, allowing drinkers to comfortably nose the beer.
• A laser-etched logo on the bottom of the bowl to sustain carbonation and head.

Dogfish Head, Sierra Nevada and Spiegelau believe they've created the go-to glass to amplify and balance even the hoppiest of IPAs. A perfect candidate would be Rhizing Bines, the new East Coast-meets-West Coast Imperial IPA from the two breweries.

"Hop-forward beers are close to our hearts, and we’ve had fun figuring out how to best highlight an IPA’s nuances,” says Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada’s founder. "We imagine hopheads will enjoy giving the glass a try."

Spiegelau Vice President Matthew Rutkowski agrees.

"The goal of this initiative was to develop a glass that would serve as the new global standard for the American IPA style of beer, just as the world recognizes wheat, pilsner and other beer glass styles," Rutkowski says. "We are thrilled to have collaborated with two of America's pre-eminent IPA brewers on this project, as this further validates that we are offering beer drinkers a glass that will maximize their tasting experience to its fullest potential."

To support the hop industry and push innovation, Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada are donating their licensing fees from the glassware to hop research.

Dogfish Head is selling a logoed version of the glass for $9 at its coastal Delaware brewery and brewpub and online.