Effect of nucleation on the likeability and drinking rate of lager in social alcohol drinkers

Background. Nucleated glasses are becoming commonplace in bars, but we have limited understanding of how they influence drinking behaviours. The aim of these studies was to investigate the effect of nucleated glasses on the likeability and drinking rate of lager in social alcohol drinkers. Methods. In Study 1, participants (n = 116) were asked to taste two glasses of lager (280 ml each) in separate 5-minute taste tests and fill out a likeability questionnaire (items on a 100 mm visual analogue scale) after each glass in a within-subjects design with one factor of glass (nucleated, non-nucleated). Paired samples t-tests were carried out to determine if likeability and amount consumed differed between glass types. In Study 2, participants (n = 160) were asked to consume a pint of lager (568 ml) and fill out a likeability questionnaire in a between-subjects design with one factor of glass (nucleated, non-nucleated). Differences in time taken to consume a pint of lager were analysed using a linear regression. Results. There was no clear evidence that likeability of lager differed between nucleated and non-nucleated glasses in Study 1 (nucleated: 63.8, non-nucleated: 63.1, MD = 0.7, 95% CI: -2.4, 3.8, p = 0.66) or in Study 2 (nucleated: 63.7, non-nucleated: 63.8, MD = -0.2, 95% CI: -6.1, 5.8, p = 0.96). In Study 1, there was strong evidence (nucleated: 74.2, non-nucleated: 64.0, MD = 10.2, 95% CI: 6.1, 14.2, p < 0.001) that lager in nucleated glasses was more visually appealing (single item from likeability measure) than lager in non-nucleated glasses. In Study 2, there was no clear evidence (nucleated: 16.9 mins, non-nucleated: 16.3 mins, MD: 0.6 mins, p = 0.57) that lager was consumed at different rates from nucleated and non-nucleated glasses. Conclusions. Nucleated lager glasses do not appear to alter the likeability or consumption (volume consumed or drinking rate) of lager, although they do seem to increase the visual appeal of lager. The utility of nucleating glasses to alcohol companies may be to improve the visual appeal of lager to increase brand loyalty and/or market share.