When it comes to beer we all know there is no shortage of styles and varieties, but did you know that for every beer there is a proper glass to serve it in? There are many different types of beer glasses, and a lot of crossover between which beer style is appropriate for which glass. With this guide to beer glasses, I hope to give a better understanding and some guidance on some of the more popular kinds of beer glasses and the styles you should be serving in them.
Simple, classic, and basic, these glasses can be found in pretty much any bar (or most people's homes) as they are also used to shake cocktails, are easy to store, and are durable. Probably not the best choice for most styles, but definitely an acceptable and popular choice for most everyday beers.
A bit of a step up from the shaker pint, the Nonic Pint is the European cousin to the American shaker pint, and a decent all around basic beer glass. The Nonic Pint features a ridge near the top of the glass for better grip and easier stacking and is usually a bit bigger than the shaker pint, usually holding about 20 oz. Again it's okay for most beer styles but not the perfect choice.
Another cousin to the American Shaker Pint is the Tulip Pint. Often used in Irish and English pubs, the Tulip pint is a bit more narrow at the bottom with a flare outwards to the top of the glass. The iconic Guinness pint is an example of the Tulip Pint, however other variations on this style of glass certainly exist. Good for: American Lager, American Wheat, American Ales, English Ales, Stout, Porter, Brown Ales, Session Beers, Witbier, Spiced Beers, Steam Beer, Fruit/ Vegetable Beers, and Cider
As the name would suggest this is the preferred glass for pilsner and lighter style beers. These glasses are typically slightly smaller than a pint glass, and have few to no curves to them. Pilsner glasses generally start more slender at the base and slowly widen toward the mouth of the glass, this shape helps to highlight the color, clarity, and carbonation of a beer. Good For: German/American/ Bohemian Pilsner, American Adjunct Lager, Euro Lager, Steam Beer, and Cider
A Weizen Glass or Wheat Glass is used to serve wheat beers. Larger glasses with thin walls, starting slim at the bottom and widening toward the top. Weizen Glasses are typically larger than other glasses, usually holding about 500 ml to accommodate the rich full head often associated with wheat beers. Good For: American Wheat Beers, German Weizen Beers, and Rye Beers
Stange means "pole" in German which accurately describes this German beer glass used to serve kolsch and other delicate German styles. This glass is slender and straight with no curves. It closely resembles a Tom Collins Glass. The Stange Glass helps to concentrate volatiles, while amplifying the malt & hop profile. Good For: Kolsch, Alt Beer, Rye Beer, Rauchbier, Bock, Lambic, and Gose
Beer steins are the iconic beer glass, and are often associated with German lagers. Although the word "stein" refers to the word stone in German, these glasses may be made from stone, metal, or glass, and feature an attached hinged lid and handle. Steins are more decorative than purposeful nowadays. Many people collect them for the fine craftsmanship and artwork that adorn the outside of them.
A cousin to the Stein, these are a traditional drinking vessel for many German lagers and British ales, however they are also used for many other styles and, like the pint glass, are a great all around drinking glass. These glasses feature thick walls, which may or may not have dimples, and a sturdy handle perfect for a nice toast with friends. Good For: German Lagers, American Lagers, English Ales, American Ales, Porters, Stouts, and Brown Ales
Similar to a champagne flute, this is a tall thin, stemmed glass with thin walls. The stem allows you to hold the glass without warming the beer. These glasses are meant to showcase the carbonation in a beer while simultaneously releasing volatiles for a better aroma. Good for: Lambics, Sour/Wild Beers, Kriek, Gueuze, Fruit Beers, Beer De Champagne, Maibock, Schwartzbier, Weizenbock, Pilsner, and Flanders Red
This stemmed glass features a "tulip" shape, with a bulbous bottom that tapers inward toward the top before flaring outward toward the lip to capture aroma while supporting a wonderful head. Not to be confused with a "thistle" glass, which is used to serve scotch ale and features a taller thinner body. Good for: Belgian Ales, Strong Ales, American Double IPAs, Belgian IPAs, Saisons, Scotch Ales, Flanders Red, Oud Bruin, and Wild/ Sour Ales
A stemmed and sturdy glass featuring a large bowl shaped basin with a large mouth, some versions may feature a gold rim for decoration. Goblets and chalices feature much the same shape, however chalices tend to feature a heavier glass and possibly a scored bottom to encourage good head retention. Good For: Belgian Pale, Belgian Tripel, Belgian Dubbel, Belgian IPA, Belgian Quad, and Belgian Strong
Developed for use with brandy these glasses also find use in the beer world too. With their bowl shape that tapers inward toward the mouth they capture nearly all the volatile aromas, making them great for higher alcohol brews. Good For: American/ English Barleywine, Imperial Stout, Double IPA, Old Ale, Scotch Ales, Belgian Strong, Belgian Dubbel, Belgian Tripel, Belgian IPA, Lambic, Sour/ Wild Beers, and Braggot
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