Beer Glassware Styles

Here at Beer Geek Shop we are intent on curating a wide array of beer glasses to share with the Internet. From the pub to your house, we’re accumulating a selection of Pint glasses, Pilsners, Tulips, Goblets, Snifters, Steins, Weizens, Boots, and Mugs.

This article is a meant as a basic guide to the different styles of beer glasses available.

Let’s take a look around, shall we?

Probably the most popular beer glasses are Pint Glasses

They come in two sizes; American (16 ounces) or British/Imperial (20 ounces).  These can be flat-walled or curved.  For home use we prefer the Nonic glass or the Imperial Pint Glass, but for commercial use, most bars prefer thick walled mixer glasses because they are harder to break.

Recommended for:  Pale Ales, Stouts, IPAs, ESBs

Next up are Tulip Glasses

These guys usually have stems, and are bulbous at the base, opening up and flaring out at the top.  These beer glasses help focus the aromas and minimize the amount of head you have to slurp through before you get to the beer.  The Duvel glass is a perfect example of this style of glass.

Recommended for:  Belgians, Blonde Ales, Saisons, Sours

Pilsner glasses are generally tall and slender

This is to accentuate the clarity and carbonation of the beer. They can be hourglass shaped or conical. Sometimes, a pilsner glass can double for a lambic or gueuze glass, like our Framboise Pilsner glass.

Recommeded for:  German Lagers, Steam Beer, Wits, Pilsners (duh)

 

Tasting glasses are good for sharing

Any beer afficionado knows to always keep a few beer tasting glasses on hand. Sooner or later, you’re going to have guests over who want to know what strange beer you’re drinking. Will you tell them, “this beer is really special and I doubt your inferior palate will be able to appreciate it”? Of course not. But you’re also not going to waste more than two or three ounces on them before judging their reaction. Nothing’s worse than seeing an untouched pint glass full of your favorite beer go to waste.

Recommended for: Not wasting your beloved beer on those who might not like it.

Glassware Accesories

For the beer evangelists out there who enjoy converting friends to craft beer and holding their own beer tastings, wooden beer tasting paddles work well with 5 oz taster glasses. Pro tip: put the glasses on the paddle before you start pouring, it makes it much easier to keep your flights organized! If you’re handy with a drill and a saw, you can make your own tasting paddles, but we think these manufactured paddles are worth more than the effort.

Recommended for: Holding your own beer tastings