Types of Beer Glasses

This blog brings to your attention the types of beer glasses you can have your drink from. Dive in!

PINT

Originally representing a measure of liquid just above half litres, Pint has come to mean something more to beer drinkers, if not really enthusiasts. The glasses with no attribution to art but a convenience so thoroughly appreciated by bar owners across the UK and then all over the world, Pint has become a standard. Narrow at the bottom and broader at the rim, they are sturdy, made to stand the rage of tipsy-headed drinkers. Popular as Nonic Pint (holds 20-ounce beer) and in its other variation American Pint (holds 16-ounce beer), pints can be spotted in casual to regal looking bars. They are more of a necessity than anything else, and definitely not ideal if you are looking for an experience rather than a drink.

Pros: Stackable, sturdy, cheap.

Cons: doesn’t do justice to any kind of beer.

GOBLET AND CHALICES

Beers, especially in older times, were known for their heads and that’s what these glasses celebrate in a beer. Seem to be coming straight from some vampire movie, these special glasses are meant for complex beers. Goblet is defined by the length of their stem and thinness, while that’s slightly vice-versa for chalices.

Pros: rich and classic appeal, maintains beer head, ideal for complex beers, best for sipping

Cons: They are not for every beer and beer drinker out there, found very rarely, mostly used for decorative purposes than practical

MUG

Another no-nonsense, all-purpose container to drink beer from and forget is, of course, mug. Available in sizes you might be looking for, and sturdy as glassware can be (no we are not talking about anything bullet-proof here!), the mug has taken the world by rage. Be it a college party or a casual weekend outdoor picnic, mugs are trustworthy. The handle is what makes them special and unique, keeping your beer cool for long and doesn’t require refilling frequently.

Pros: robust, commonplace, keep a conversation on for long without letting the beer go hand-warm

Cons: not for formal celebratory setups, not to be used if you only have expensive beers left

STEINS

Though similar to mug if you take handle and size in account, these come with a lid and often in a wide variety of materials like metal, stoneware, wood and pewter. Today, however, they are used more for their artistic appeal rather than any practical purpose. They come with German history, taken from ‘Steinzeugkrug’, meaning stoneware jug or tankard. Back then, beer drinkers believed them to be preventing bubonic plague.

Pros: holds a generous amount of beer, great as a souvenir, works best if you are a fan of drinking beer in a stormy or windy place

Cons: more historical rather than traditional or even casual, the confusing category of beer containers

PILSNERS

Slightly better than Pints, mostly for their tall looks, rather than anything else, pilsner is ideal for drinking (you guessed it right!) pilsners (in particular and any sparkling beers in general). Sparkling beers feel at home in these slender glasses, thanks to the slight taper, and are great to look at. Their design allows for good head retention while trapping the effervescence. These might resemble a trumpet, only in a vertical position.

Pros: lighter beers taste great, brings out the true aroma and flavour profile, for beer enthusiasts with an inclination for tall and skinny (and of course sparkling!)

Cons: difficult to clean and store, typically hold less beer than pints (not to mentions the mugs!)

WEIZEN GLASS

For the fans of the slight curve in beer glasses (or otherwise!), Weizen glasses are pilsners rounded at the upper side. This distinctive curve at the top is what makes them stand apart in looks as well as the beers that taste better when served in these. Designed keeping wheat beers in mind (as the name meant that too in German- Weizenbier), it keeps the foam head in its place. Thus, you can truly appreciate the characteristics wheat ales are enjoyed. Also, since these beers are served unfiltered, the narrow bottom doesn’t let yeast to get through your lips.

Pros: best for wheat beers and wines, holds generous amount than a pint or pilsner. If you fall flat for good creamy beer froth

Cons: too tall for many beer enthusiasts, if you got served with fruit on its rim (its juice/acidity can destroy the oh-so-good-looking head!)

TULIP

Shaped and thus named after the flower, Tulips are the glasses for hoppy and malty beers with complex flavours. The rim curve holds the head better than any other glass and stem allows keeping it cooler for longer with a scope to swirl your drink. A beer belonging to a sour family is best enjoyed in these glasses, but you can practically use it for any beer you have in the cabinet.

Pros: Can be used as one glass-for-all, best if you have stocks and stocks of strong brews,

Cons: Not any really!

THISTLE

The thistle glasses are like twin-brother to the Tulip, only taller and less curvy. Its top section is sharper and angular than Tulips. Named after the official Scottish flower Thistle due to its resemblance, these glasses are meant for Scottish Ales. These glasses are loved as much as Tulips (if not more!) for the service they have done and are continuing to do to the beer connoisseurs, geeks and enthusiasts.

Pros: good looks and practical usage, Scottish ales taste best in these

Cons: gives competition to the much-loved Tulips!

STANGE

Another glass with German legacy and name is the stange glass. The name literally means ‘rod’ because of its resemblance to one. Their size can vary if you are picky about that but the cylindrical shape stays the same. Meant to serve delicate beers mostly, they are known to enhance the aromas and flavours of the beers like German Kölsch.

Pros: simple and straight, good concentration of volatiles to enhance beer experience, feels as if you at a celebratory event

Cons: Underrated style, not for those who are already a fan of curved beer glasses!

IPA GLASS

Hoppy beers aerate nicely in the IPA glasses. Each sip seems to be elevating you to another dimension along with its aromas. The iconic ridges and the tall and slender bowl with some tapering of the IPA glass are working their magic for you to experience this. IPAs with etching at the bottom are great for sparkling beers, releasing carbonation (and thus the bubbling!).

Pros: good for quality-over-quantity people, if IPAs are the only evil you have!

Cons: not for everyone (especially if you have developed a love for the Pints and Mugs!)

SNIFTERS

As the name suggests, it allows you to truly sniff (you get the point!). All right, it allows beer to breathe and the beer drinker to fall in love with the smell of the drink, much before falling for the flavours. Speciality beers, fruit beers and other aromatic beers are best inhaled and drunk from these beer glasses. If aromas are your preference in a beer, these glasses should be a part of your glassware collection.

Pros:  lets you experience full aroma and flavour

Cons: Not one-size-fits-all glass

TEKU

Craft beer lover would understand when these glasses are mentioned. Teku is really good looking, to the point of being remembered as a ‘sexy’ beer glasses. Lambics and other variety of sour beers are great when served in Teku but they could really enhance the flavour and aroma of just about any beer. Their long stem gives them a distinctive appeal and a bowl that gets a slight outward curve at the rim. So you know when you look at these.

Pros: can be used as one-size-fits-all glass, specially designed for craft beer (and their lovers!)

Cons: not for you if you already have had enough of the shapely glasses!

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