The most common way to be served a beer is in a pint glass. However, go to any bar or taproom, and you may encounter a wide variety of beer glasses. At home, you might decide to drink your beverage straight from the can or the bottle. This may leave you wondering if there’s a science behind the shape of a glass. Does the type of beer glass impact the experience of drinking your favorite beer?
Beer enthusiasts know that enjoying a good beer is much more than just its taste. In fact, the flavor is just one quality people rate when evaluating a beverage. Other elements include aroma, presentation, and mouth feel. The size and shape of the glass will impact all of those characteristics.
Some glass shapes were initially designed to perform specific functions. For example, heavy and thick glasses that are kept in the freezer will help keep beer cold longer. For most beer, the temperature of the beer impacts its flavor and feel, so using a glass that stays cold is a simple solution to extend the enjoyment of the drink. Beer steins in Germany were designed with lids to keep flies out of the beer. Today, drinking an American, German, or English lager from a beer stein can make the experience more fun.
What Type of Beer Glass Should You Use?
If you want to increase your enjoyment of beer, try drinking it from the type of beer glass best designed for your beverage. Here’s a quick chart to help you identify the type of glass you should use.
| Steins and Thick Glass Mugs | Hefty containers made from thick glass or ceramic material. They are often kept in a freezer, so they will keep beer chilled for longer. Some have lids and other decorative adornments. | American, English, and German Lagers; Scottish Ales, Irish Dry Stouts |
| Goblets and Chalices | Like the name sounds, these glasses are made with a round bowl on top of a thick stem. Often they are very decorative and fancy. The wide mouth of the rim promotes big sips of beer. | Belgian IPAs; Belgian Ales; Belgian Dubbles, Triples, and Quadruples; German Bocks and Mailbocks |
| Pilsners | These glasses are tall and slim with a slightly wider mouth than the base. Pilsners bring out the beer’s appearance– sparkle, clarity, and bubbles. The shape of the glass helps to retain the beer’s head to retain the aromatic qualities of the beverage. | American Lagers and Pilsners, Hefeweizens, Blonde Ales, Witbeiers, and Highly-carbonated Pale Lagers |
| Pints | This is the most popular style of glass used to serve beer. A pint glass holds 16 ounces of beer and is slightly wider at the mouth than at its base. | American Ales, Lagers, IPAs, and Pilsners |
| Imperial Pint Glasses | These are very similar to regular pint glasses. They feature a slightly bulbous shape near the top and hold 20 ounces of beer. | British Ales and Lagers, India Pale Ales, Amber/Red Ales, Brown Ales, Porters, Milk Stouts, Oatmeal Stouts, and Scotch Ales. |
| Tulip Glasses | Tulip glasses feature a bulbous body with a flared lip. The design captures the head and brings out the aromatic qualities and flavor of malty, hoppy beers. Beer enthusiasts take advantage of the shape to swirl the beverages and further enjoy the sensory experience. | Double IPAs, Belgian Ales, Scottish Ales, and other stronger, aromatic beers |
| Snifters | Snifters are similar to tulip glasses but are larger and hold a higher volume of beer. | High ABV beers such as Belgian Ales, Wheat Wines, and Imperial IPAs |
| Weizen Glasses | Also called wheat beer glasses, these glasses are tall with thin walls. The shape of the glass enhances the traditional flavors of banana and clove while helping to retain the beverage’s thick head. | Weizenbocks, Kristaleweizens, and Wheat Ales |
| Stanges | This glass style is a tall, slender cylinder. The German word “stange” means pole, which perfectly describes its appearance. Unlike a flute, stanges have thick glass bottoms to increase their stability. | Traditional glass for Kolsch; also for Belgian Iambics, Gueze, and Rye |
| Flutes | Flutes are very similar to the wine glasses used for serving champagne. They are tall, slender, and designed to hold a smaller volume of beer. | Fruity beers, Belgian Iambics, Krieks, and Biere de Champagne |
Learn More About Enjoying Beer at The Growler Guys.
Explore the growing variety of beers in one taproom, The Growler Guys. Each location carries the best local varieties, from the palest ales to the darkest stouts, along with ciders and kombucha. Our friendly staff is happy to walk you through the characteristics of every style to help you discover your personal favorites. Take home the beers you love best in a growler to share with family and friends. View our online tap list to learn about the available selections at a location near you.
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