The purpose of serving beer in the right glass is to maximize its flavour, aroma, and visual appeal. Different types of beer glasses are designed to highlight specific characteristics of various beer styles, from the carbonation of a crisp pilsner to the rich, malty notes of a stout.
Proper glassware can enhance a beer’s aroma, retain a frothy head, and maintain the ideal temperature, ensuring a more enjoyable and immersive drinking experience.
By matching the glass to the beer, drinkers can fully appreciate the craft and complexity of each brew. In this guide on 17 Different Types of Beer Glasses, we will look into the ideal beer-style paring, size and purpose of each type of glass.
1. Pilsner Glass
The Pilsner glass has its roots in the Czech Republic, where Pilsners originated. These crisp, golden beers deserved a vessel that would show off their bright color and effervescence.
The glass was designed to do just that. Its tall, slender body offers a perfect view of the beer’s clarity, while the narrow base preserves the beer’s bubbles, delivering a fresh, fizzy sip every time.
Ideal Beer Styles:
The Pilsner glass is perfect for light, golden beers like Pilsners, pale ales, and light lagers. These beers are often characterized by their effervescent nature and lighter body, and the Pilsner glass highlights these traits.
Size: 350-500 ml (12-17 oz)
Key Features:
- Tall, narrow body to enhance carbonation.
- Wide mouth to allow for a frothy head to develop.
- Clear glass to showcase the beer’s bright color and clarity.
2. Weizen Glass
In Germany, wheat beers such as Hefeweizens and Dunkelweizens have long been popular. To honor the distinctive qualities of these beers, the Weizen glass was created.
This glass’s curvaceous shape helps capture the rich, frothy foam that wheat beers are known for, while also enhancing the fruity and yeasty aromas that characterize these styles.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Weizen glasses are specifically designed for wheat beers, including Hefeweizens and Dunkelweizens. These beers often boast complex aromas and flavors, with notes of banana, clove, and spice, and the Weizen glass helps bring these characteristics to the forefront.
Size: 500-700 ml (17-23 oz)
Key Features:
- Tall, curvy shape to support a large foam head.
- Wide bowl to capture and enhance fruity and yeasty aromas.
- Larger capacity (500-700 ml) to account for the foam head and large servings of wheat beer.
3. Nonic Pint Glass
The Nonic pint glass is an evolution of the British pint glass. It was designed for practicality: the bulge near the top prevents chipping, making it ideal for heavy use in busy pubs.
The bulge also makes the glass easier to stack and grip, preventing spills.
Ideal Beer Styles:
This glass is perfect for ales, stouts, and lagers, offering a balance of practicality and performance. It’s a staple in British pubs, where durability is key, but it also maintains the beer’s head, allowing for a satisfying sip every time.
Size: 570 ml (20 oz)
Key Features:
- Bulge near the top to prevent chipping.
- Easy to stack and hold, making it perfect for pubs.
- Maintains a good foam head while being highly durable.
4. Tulip Glass
Belgium is home to some of the world’s most flavorful ales, and the tulip glass is crafted specifically to enhance these bold brews.
The glass’s tulip-shaped bowl helps capture and concentrate aromas, while the flared rim maintains a rich, foamy head.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Belgian ales, IPAs, and sours are all excellent candidates for the tulip glass. The wide bowl allows for swirling, which releases the beer’s complex aromas, while the narrow top keeps them concentrated for a more aromatic experience.
Size: 300-400 ml (10-14 oz)
Key Features:
- Tulip shape with a wide bowl and flared rim.
- Captures and concentrates aromas.
- Maintains a large, frothy head.
5. Goblet/Chalice
Historically used in monasteries for sipping strong ales, the goblet (or chalice) is ideal for high-ABV beers. Its wide, shallow bowl allows for swirling, encouraging the release of deep, complex aromas.
The goblet’s sturdy design and large capacity make it suitable for heavy, boozy beers that are best enjoyed slowly.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Belgian ales, tripels, and quadrupels are often served in goblets. These beers are typically rich and high in alcohol, so the wide opening allows drinkers to fully appreciate the complex flavors while sipping slowly.
Size: 350-700 ml (12-24 oz)
Key Features:
- Wide bowl for swirling and aroma release.
- Sturdy stem for easy handling.
- Great for high-ABV beers.
6. Beer Mug/Stein
The beer mug, or stein, is a traditional glass often used for drinking German beers. Its thick walls keep the beer cold, while the handle allows drinkers to avoid warming the beer with their hands.
Some steins also come with a lid, which was originally designed to keep bugs and debris out of the beer.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Lagers, bocks, and ales all work well in a beer mug or stein. The glass’s large size and sturdy design make it ideal for Oktoberfest-style drinking, where large quantities of beer are consumed over an extended period.
Size: 500-1000 ml (17-34 oz)
Key Features:
- Thick walls for insulation.
- Handle to prevent warming the beer.
- Optional lid for added protection.
7. IPA Glass
As the popularity of hop-forward beers like IPAs has grown, so too has the need for a glass that enhances hop aromas.
The IPA glass features ridges at the base that increase carbonation, while the narrow top helps concentrate the beer’s hoppy aromas, delivering a more intense sensory experience
Ideal Beer Styles:
IPAs, double IPAs, and pale ales are best suited for the IPA glass. These beers are known for their bold hop character, and this glass is designed to bring out the full range of hop aromas and flavors.
Size: 470 ml (16 oz)
Key Features:
- Ridges at the base to enhance carbonation.
- Narrow top to concentrate hop aromas.
- Specifically designed for hop-forward beers.
8. Snifter
Originally created for brandy, the snifter glass has found a place in the world of beer, particularly for rich, aromatic styles like barleywines and imperial stouts. The deep bowl traps vapors, allowing drinkers to fully experience the beer’s complex aromas.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Barleywines, imperial stouts, and other high-ABV, aromatic beers are perfect for the snifter. The glass’s design allows these beers’ rich, malty aromas to shine through, enhancing the drinking experience.
Size: 300-500 ml (10-17 oz)
Key Features:
- Deep bowl to capture and concentrate aromas.
- Short stem for easy swirling.
- Best for strong, aromatic beers.
9. Stange
The Stange glass is a slim, cylindrical glass traditionally used in Germany for delicate beers like Kölsch, Gose, and Altbier. Its narrow profile helps preserve carbonation and concentrate the subtle flavors of these light, refreshing beers.
Ideal Beer Styles:
The Stange is best suited for light, effervescent beers like Kölsch, Gose, and Altbier. The slim design helps keep these beers fresh and lively, while also allowing the drinker to appreciate their nuanced flavors.
Size: 200-300 ml (7-10 oz)
Key Features:
- Slim, cylindrical shape.
- Preserves carbonation and concentrates flavors.
- Perfect for light, delicate German beers.
10. Teku Glass
Designed in Italy for beer enthusiasts, the Teku glass is a versatile, angular glass that enhances the aromas and flavors of almost any beer style.
Its distinctive shape allows for swirling, which releases complex aromas, while the narrow top concentrates those aromas for a more intense experience.
Ideal Beer Styles:
The Teku glass is suitable for a wide variety of beer styles, from IPAs to stouts to sours. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for beer tastings, where different styles can be explored in one glass.
Size: 400 ml (13 oz)
Key Features:
- Angular shape to enhance swirling and aroma release.
- Versatile design for multiple beer styles.
- Narrow top to concentrate aromas.
11. Tumbler: Casual and Durable
The tumbler is a simple, no-nonsense glass designed for casual beer drinking. It’s durable and easy to handle, making it a practical choice for everyday use.
While it may not enhance aromas or flavors like some of the more specialized glasses, it gets the job done when you just want to enjoy a good
beer without the fuss of finding the perfect glass.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Tumblers are suitable for a variety of beer styles, particularly those that are lighter and less aromatic, such as pale ales, lagers, and pilsners. The tumbler’s straightforward design makes it an easy go-to for casual beer drinking at home or at social gatherings.
Sizer: 350-500 ml (12-17 oz)
Key Features:
- Simple, durable design for everyday use.
- Sturdy and easy to handle, ideal for casual settings.
- Suitable for a wide range of beer styles, though it may not enhance the beer’s aroma or presentation like other glasses.
12. Thistle Glass
The Thistle glass takes its name and shape from Scotland’s national flower, the thistle, and it is traditionally used for Scotch ales.
These ales are rich, malty, and often high in alcohol, and the Thistle glass’s design is meant to concentrate the beer’s malty aroma and enhance the drinking experience.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Scotch ales, wee heavies, and other malt-forward beers benefit from the Thistle glass. Its bulbous base and flared top allow the drinker to appreciate the full range of aromas and flavors, making it a must-have for fans of Scottish-style beers.
Size: 350-500 ml (12-17 oz)
Key Features:
- Bulbous base with a narrow top to concentrate malty aromas.
- Flared rim to maintain a foam head.
- Designed specifically for Scotch ales and other malt-heavy beers.
13. Stout Glass
The stout glass is specially designed to enhance the thick, creamy nature of stouts and porters. Its wide opening supports a generous, creamy head, while the bowl shape allows the complex roasted and chocolatey flavors of stouts to shine through.
Ideal Beer Styles:
As the name suggests, stout glasses are best for stouts and porters, particularly those with rich, robust flavors. The wide opening and deep bowl help bring out the bold characteristics of these dark beers.
Size: 470 ml (16 oz)
Key Features:
- Wide opening to support a creamy head.
- Bowl shape enhances rich, roasted flavors.
- Ideal for stouts, porters, and other dark, robust beers.
14. Beer Boot (Das Boot)
The Beer Boot, or “Das Boot,” is a novelty glass traditionally used in German beer halls. Shaped like a boot, this glass is often used for celebratory occasions and is meant to be shared among friends. It’s large in size, often holding between 1 to 2 liters of beer, making it a symbol of conviviality and fun.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Beer Boots are typically filled with lagers, particularly during festivals or parties. The size of the glass makes it perfect for celebratory drinking, where the focus is on fun rather than the intricacies of the beer’s aroma and flavor.
Size: 1000-2000 ml (34-68 oz)
Key Features:
- Unique, boot-shaped design.
- Large volume, often between 1 to 2 liters.
- Best suited for casual, celebratory occasions rather than specific beer styles.
15. Tester (Tasting Glass)
Tasting glasses, also known as testers, are small, versatile glasses designed for sampling a variety of beers in small amounts. These glasses are a staple at beer festivals, tasting events, and breweries, allowing drinkers to explore different styles without committing to a full glass.
Ideal Beer Styles:
Tasting glasses are suitable for any beer style, as they are designed for sampling rather than focusing on one particular type. Whether you’re trying a hoppy IPA, a dark stout, or a crisp lager, a tester glass allows you to appreciate the key characteristics of the beer in a small, concentrated sip.
Size: 90-120 ml (3-4 oz)
Key Features:
- Small size, usually 90-120 ml (3-4 oz).
- Perfect for sampling multiple beer styles.
- Focuses on the essential characteristics of the beer in small quantities.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Glass for the Right Beer
Ultimately, the choice of beer glass is about enhancing the overall drinking experience. By using the right glass for the right beer, you can bring out the best in each brew, from the first whiff of aroma to the final sip. Whether you’re a casual beer drinker or a connoisseur, understanding the history, purpose, and features of different beer glasses will not only deepen your appreciation for the craft of brewing but also make each beer you enjoy more memorable.
Next time you pour yourself a pint, take a moment to consider the glass you’re using. The right glass might just transform an ordinary beer into an extraordinary experience. Cheers to better beer drinking, one glass at a time!
