Duvel & Design: When Beer Glasses Become Art

Back in the day, when pubs were pubs, loud with laughter and louder with drinkers, there was always a certain kind of customer. The ones who would happily put away ten pints and then, almost as an afterthought, reach for something stronger. A Belgian Tripel perhaps. A measure of Jameson’s. And more often than not, a bottle of Duvel.

Not a personal favourite for everyone, but undeniably iconic.

Because behind that pale, deceptively strong golden ale lies one of the most respected names in brewing: Duvel Moortgat Brewery.

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Beyond Beer: The Art of the Glass

While many breweries focus solely on what goes into the glass, Duvel Moortgat Brewery has long understood that presentation is part of the ritual.

Their glassware is instantly recognisable: the classic tulip shape, wide enough to release aroma, narrow enough to concentrate it. But beyond function, Duvel has built something more, a tradition of collectible, artist-led design.

This is where beer crosses into culture.

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Morrison Schiffmacher: Ink Meets Glass

In one of its most striking collaborations, Duvel partnered with Morrison Schiffmacher, a Dutch tattoo artist whose work brings bold line, symbolism, and narrative into everything she touches.

The result? One of the most visually arresting beer glasses in recent memory.

Her design translates tattoo culture into glass, ornate, expressive, and slightly rebellious. It transforms the act of drinking into something performative, almost ceremonial.

And yet, for all its artistic ambition, it still holds a beer perfectly.

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A Legacy of Ink: The Schiffmacher Lineage

Artistry, in this case, runs deep.

Morrison is the daughter of Henk Schiffmacher, better known as 'Hanky Panky,' a towering figure in the tattoo world. His career spans exhibitions, books, and television, and his client list reads like a roll call of rock history.

Names such as Kurt Cobain, Lemmy, and bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam have all passed through his orbit.

As Anthony Kiedis once described him:

an underground philosopher, artist, Hells Angels associate… an absolute rapscallion of Dutch proportions.

Designing a beer glass, in that context, almost feels restrained.

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Where Beer Meets Identity

What makes this collaboration compelling is not just its aesthetic but its intent.

Duvel doesn’t treat glassware as an afterthought. Instead, it becomes an extension of identity, a way of reinforcing the brand’s heritage while inviting reinterpretation through contemporary art.

In Morrison Schiffmacher’s hands, the glass becomes:

• A canvas
• A collector’s piece
• A conversation starter

And, crucially, still a vessel for one of Belgium’s most famous beers.

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Final Thoughts

Duvel may divide opinion in the glass, but its commitment to craft, both in brewing and design, is undeniable.

From Duvel Moortgat Brewery comes a reminder that beer is not just about flavour. It is about ritual, presentation, and the objects we choose to experience it through.

With Morrison Schiffmacher’s collaboration, that idea is pushed even further, into the realm of art, heritage, and personal expression.

Because sometimes, the most memorable part of a beer isn’t just how it tastes. It’s the glass you drink it from.