12 types of beer glasses
Gone are the days of beers served in the simple traditional pint glasses. With the wave of craft beers and micro-breweries, a whole range of beer glasses is now available for true connoisseurs of fine foam.
Each glass allows you to appreciate the complexity of the flavors of the different types of beer and to highlight their characteristics, allowing optimal tasting. Here’s which glass to use for which beer and why.
Imperial Pint Glass
Imperial Pint glass became popular in Britain in the early 20th century. It replaced the traditional ceramic, silver or pewter beer mug and was introduced to standardize the sale of beer in the country. UK law requires that a pint be sold in a 20 imperial fluid ounce (568ml) Imperial Pint glass. Order a pint in Britain or Ireland and your beer, stout, ale or lager will be served to you in one of these glasses.
American Pint glass
The American Pint glass is traditionally used in the United States to serve draft beer. Its straight edge makes it convenient for stacking, but its small size means beer can get hot in your hands if you’re standing up when drinking it. Recently in the United States the glass has given way to other rounder types due to the growing popularity of craft beer and micro-breweries. However, the reverse has happened in Europe, where stronger IPAs and craft beers are often served in the American Pint glass.
Pilsner glass
Traditionally used to serve pilsner, this glass is long and slender with a thick bottom. Its shape enhances the golden color of the beer and promotes the formation of a beautiful foam in the upper part of the glass.
Weizen glass
This glass is intended for serving weizenbocks, kristallweizens or ales. It is high, narrows in its lower part and widens upwards. The wide opening of the glass welcomes the thick foam that characterizes wheat beers and enhances their aroma. The slender shape of the glass helps show off the translucent, cloudy color of the beer, while the narrow bottom accommodates the wheat sediment that can be found in these beers.
Beer Mug or tankard
The beer mug, also called chope in French, was invented in the 1920s. It is a ten-sided glass with a thick bottom and a handle. The handle keeps the hand away from the glass and the beer stays cold longer. The glass is out of fashion today, but is still used in pubs and specialty bars, to serve craft ales.
Tulip glass
The tulip glass is characterized by a rounded shape that narrows at the top and then opens at the edge… like the flower from which it takes its name. It is designed to take advantage of the flavors and aromas of ales and IPA beers. The glass can be held by the foot to keep the hand away from the beer. As Scottish ales are generally stronger and more flavorful, this glass is also known as thistle glassa name inspired by that of Scotland’s national flower, the fleur-de-lis.
Goblet Glass
This chunky stemmed beer glass is for strong beers like Belgian ales, double IPAs and German bocks. This is for true beer connoisseurs! The Tumbler has a wide opening that accommodates the foam and allows you to savor the aroma of the beer. The wider body allows you to drink the beer in generous sips.
Stange glass
The tall, straight stange glass is designed to savor the flavor and aroma of beer, as it amplifies its malty and hopped taste. It emphasizes its flavor and remains a favorite of true beer connoisseurs.
Spiegelau glass
Also known as the IPA glass, it is a modern invention designed to release the complex and volatile flavors that this beer naturally gives off. Its rounded shape, the tapered top and the laser-cut edge allow excellent tasting and exalt the aromas of the beer. The grooves in the stem keep the beer aerated, allowing air to enter when the glass is tilted to drink, meaning it stays cool all the way to the bottom.
Quarter Yard Glass
This glass with wooden stand, also known as coachman’s glass, was designed for coachmen who could not leave their horses unattended and therefore had to drink their beers quickly. Today it is used in craft breweries to showcase the unusual qualities of a beer. It is also used for drinking gamesespecially by university students.
