If you’re an avid beer drinker, there’s a good chance you don’t simply drink your IPAs, pilsners, and stouts out of 16-ounce cans or 12-ounce bottles. If all you have to drink your beer out of is a boring pint glass or plastic novelty cup you got at a thruway exit, you’re really limiting yourself. There’s a whole world of beer glasses perfect for every style just waiting to be discovered.
Don’t feel bad if you currently only have a few branded pint glasses to sip your beer in. I’ve been writing about beer for almost twenty years, and it’s taken me a number of years to amass a good collection of beer drinking vessels. But, if you want to elevate your beer drinking experience, you will purchase a few more glasses than those that you got for free at a bar. This is because, even though most beers you’re served at a bar will be poured into a pint glass, there is a whole world of beer glasses just waiting to be discovered. There are reasons why certain styles of beer are served in specific glasses, and we’re going to take you through them all.
The best beer glasses for every style
Now that you’ve learned a little bit about the importance of having a wide array of beer glasses, it’s time to take a deep dive into each of the popular styles and what they’re used for.
American pint glass
As I mentioned earlier, if you’re a beer drinker, there’s a good chance you have a pint glass or two at home. This simple glass has a slightly wider mouth than its base. It fits 16 ounces of beer and is more or less the standard for American draft beer. It doesn’t take away from the flavor or add to it. It’s just kind of a basic vessel for drinking beer.
Imperial pint glass
If you’re at a fancy beer bar, you’d probably been served a Guinness or another beer in an Imperial pint glass. Similar to the American pint glass, this vessel holds a full 20 ounces and is slightly bulbous with a little lip at the top. It’s a great choice for stouts, lagers, IPAs, and pretty much any beer style.
Beer mug
There are few beer glasses as eye-catching as the classic beer mug. Often dimpled, they come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They have an easy to hold handle and are more fun than functional. They look cool, but don’t really bring much to the table. Drink any beer you want out of a beer mug.
Weizen glass
As the name suggests, a Weizen glass is designed for wheat beers. This ½ liter glass is thin and long. It was crafted to maximize the flavors and aromas of your favorite hefeweizen, witbier, and American wheat beer.
IPA glass
For beer newbies, the IPA glass might seem a little wacky. It’s often very thin with ridges at the bottom of the glass and much wider at the top. The ridges were designed to maximize the hop aromas, while the top sends the aromas right to your nose. The result is a ton of that hoppy scent before your first sip. It’s the perfect glass for West Coast IPAs, Imperial IPAs, and any other hoppy beer.
Goblet glass
If you want to drink your beer like a king, you’ll pick up a goblet glass. But besides making you look regal while you sip a frosty brew, this vessel is made for a reason. Featuring a large, rounded opening and a thick stem, it’s the perfect glass for heavier, malty, darker beers.
Tulip glass
The tulip glass is similar to the goblet glass. It’s rounded with a thick stem, but with a smaller mouth than the goblet. It was created to concentrate the aromas and flavors of malty, heavy beers. It was specifically created for Belgian ales like Belgian strong ales, saisons, Flanders red ales, and more.
Pilsner glass
If you’re a fan of crisp, refreshing, floral-hopped beers, you’re going to want to add a pilsner glass to your beer glass collection. It’s a tall, very slim glass with a slightly wider mouth. Usually around 12 ounces, it was crafted to maximize the beer’s head and concentrate the hop aromas. It’s a great glass for lagers, pilsners, blonde ales, and even wheat beers.
Bottom line
There’s a good chance you won’t go out and buy all of these beer glasses. But if you want to up your beer game, you’ll grab one or two of these drinking vessels. Your best bet is to think about the beer styles you enjoy imbibing and purchasing the corresponding beer glasses. You’ll be amazed at how different the aromas and flavors will be. At the very least, you won’t be drinking every beer out of the bottle or can (or a red Solo cup like you did during your college years). That alone is a massive upgrade.
