The $4000 wine glass and other crazy drinkware

Oh, Internet. What would we do without you?

If it weren’t for Al Gore’s brilliant invention, there’s no way we would know about most of these absolutely astonishing drinkware options. In fact, some of these absurd, often oddly opulent, cups, glasses, chalices, mugs, and goblets might not even exist were it not for the World Wide Web.

For instance, we can’t tell whether we are repelled by or drawn to this Etsy shop stocked with naught but Swarovski-covered Starbucks mugs (just click the link, there’s no way we could make this up).

We don’t know why beverage containers tend to be so much stranger than, oh, say, forks or knives, or even plates or bowls, but it would appear that some people really get a major kick out of drinking from some pretty kooky things. Our favorite in recent years? Brewdog’s The End of History beer, a blonde Belgian ale that was a staggering 55 percent alcohol and came presented inside a stuffed squirrel.

The folks over at Brewdog claim that they “want to push the boundaries and challenge people’s perceptions about what beer is and how it can be enjoyed.” Mission accomplished, guys.

We’ve rounded up some of the strangest, most expensive, curious, and thought-provoking pieces of drinkware in history for your drinking and reading pleasure.

If you happen to be a fan of Fabergé (you know, the guy with the super intricate eggs), Stella Artois, world history, or all three, we suggest you strongly consider reading on.

1. Little Heart Wine Glass

(designboom.com)

When these wine glasses and their matching decanter are filled up with a nice cabernet sauvignon, they look like aortas pumping blood. Awesome or creepy? Both?

2. Swarovski-Covered Stella Chalice

(Stella Artois)

Ok, unlike the Starbucks mugs, there’s something kind of spectacular about this Stella Chalice covered in Swarovski crystals. We love the shape of the Stella chalice anyway — and a crispy, delicious Stella — and a little bling does the chalice good.

3. Inside-Out Champagne Flutes

(momastore.org)

These glasses are much more reasonably priced,and are also way more interesting than diamond-embedded stems, in our opinion. Plus every purchase benefits MoMA, one of the cooler organizations around.