Types of Beer Glasses

There are various types of beer glasses. Each of them complement different styles of beer. Some of these glasses are designed to enhance aromatic volatiles, some are for showcasing the appearance, and some are designed to keep the beer cold by preventing the warmth of the drinker's hand from warming the beer. Using the right type of beer glasses for the right type of beer can greatly enhance your beer drinking experience.

So which beer glass to use? The answer can often be overwhelming as there are so many types of beer glasses out there. To help you out, we have compile a list of most beer glasses and try to explain how they can enhance the beer drinking experience.

• Pint glass
  Pint glass is the most common beer glass in the U.S. with near cylindrical, with a slight taper and wide-mouth design. There are two standard sizes for pint glass: 16-ounce and 20-ounce. The latter version is preferred to accommodate more beer or beers with large crowning heads.


• Wheat beer glass
  A wheat beer glass (also known as Weizen glass) is designed specially to serve Wheat Beer (also known as Weizenbier). It has a shape of narrow bottom and slightly wider top. With its thin walls and length, a wheat beer glass allows much headspace to contain the fluffy, sexy heads association with the style, and showcase the beer's color. A wheat beer glass typically holds 500 millilitres with room for foam or "head".


• Pilsner glass
  A Pilsner glass is typically tall, slender, tapered, shaped like a trumpet at times, and pairing well with pilsners and other light beers. It's usually in 250 ml or 330 ml sizes, and is designed to allows the remarkable clarity, color, and effervescence of pilsners and other
  light beers to stay at the forefront.


• Beer stein
  A beer stein is a heavy, sturdy, and large mug with handle. It can be made from glass, wood, porcelain, pewter, silver, or earthenware; and typically with a hinged lid and levered thumblift, the use of which dates back to the Black Plague to prevent flies from dropping in. It comes in many sizes and shapes.


• Stange
  A Stange is a traditional German glass. It's tall and slender, and is usually used to serve more delicate beers. Serving with Stange has the benefit of tighter concentration of volatiles.


• Goblet or Chalice
  Chalices and goblets are large, stemmed, bowl-shaped glasses. Goblet is more delicate and long stemmed, while the Chalice is heavy and thick walled. They are suitable for serving heavy Belgian ales, German bocks, and other big sipping.


• Flute glass
  A Flute glass has a long and narrow body that helps to maintain and showcase lively carbonation, while providing a strong aromatic front. It's ideal for preserving the delicate flavors and gentle carbonation of Lambics and fruit beers.


• Tulip glass
  With Tulip shape, a Tulip glass helps to trap aroma and maintaining large foamy heads. It's adequate for serving Scottish ales, barleywines, Belgian ales and other aromatic beers. The benefit of tulip glass is that it captures volatiles, and induces large heads which create a visual sensation.


• Snifters
  Shifters are usually used for serving brandy and cognac. It is a stemmed glass with wide bowl and tapered mouth which is is ideal for capturing the volatiles of aromatic beers. Also, Snifters provide room to swirl and agitate volatiles.


• Beer Boot
  While Beer Boot is often used for a festive drinking challenge, it has a story behind. It's believed that the beer boot is originated from a General who promised to drink beer from his boots if he won in a battle. After his victory, he ordered a glassmaker to make a boot-shaped glass to fulfill his promise without tasting his own feet. Since then, soldiers have enjoyed toasting to their victories with a beer boot.

Remember using the appropriate beer glasses for different styles of beer will enhance your drinking experience. Cheers!