Beer Glasses

What is the best glass to drink beer from? There is no simple short answer. You want a glass that will present the beer at its best, showcase its appearance, concentrate it’s aromas and allow you to experience its flavors. Below I have provided images and descriptions of some of the many styles of glass that are available. I have also listed some of the advantages associated with each style of glass and provided some suggestions on what beers to fill them with. Special thanks for the format and the images should be directed to BeerAdvocate.com. The prose and the beer choices are however my own and I trust they will inspire you to broaden your beer horizons. Regardless of the type of beer, always drink a beer from a glass and not from a can or bottle. To fully enjoy the product as the brewer intended it you must see it and smell it. This applies to the cheapest Macro Brew and the priciest Trappist Ale.

Flute Glass


Certain types of beer, notably Fruit Lambics such as Lindeman’s Kriek and Lindeman’s Framboise are best showcased in a champagne type flute. Long and narrow glasses ensure that carbonation doesn't dissipate too quickly and showcase this styles lively carbonation and sparkling color (a bright pink in the case of the Kriek). An added benefit is that the shape induces a beer to give off its carbonation at a steady rate for a more intense aroma.

Goblet (or Chalice)


Many of the stronger Belgian and Trappist styles such as Chimay Grand Cru are best enjoyed from a Goblet or a heavy and thick walled Chalice. Some glasses of this style have an etched design at the bottom of the glass designed to maintain a beers head. The etching attracts CO2 and creates a steady stream of bubbles that thereby induces longer head retention. If left to its own devices for a time, the shape of the etching will be mirror imaged in the dense foam of the beers head. The Goblet and Chalice are both wide-mouthed permitting deep sips of the flavorful and aromatic brews within.



Mug (or Seidel, Stein)


Mugs are fun, easy to drink out of and often hold plenty of beer. Mugs are more about fun than elegance, though I have some Tiffany Mugs that are a bit of both. To me, the best mugs are clear glass and allow the drinker to visually enjoy the brew as well as go a long time between refills. Mugs favor so-called “session beers”. The beers of the times when you’re having more than just one … like that Oktoberfest Party.

Paulaner Oktober Fest is a great mug beer, as is Harpoon’s October Fest and the beers of Climaax Brewing in Roselle Park, New Jersey.

Pilsner Glass (or Pokal)


A tall, slender and tapered glass, typically very narrow at the base, sometimes having a shot stem. This type of glass showcases the active carbonation and pale malt colors of a Pilsner styled beer while the shape also works with the carbonation in maintaining the beers head. A Pokal is a European Pilsner styled glass with a stem. Both glass types, like the flute, enhance the prolonged release of the aroma within the beer enhancing the drinking experience, which in the case of a Pilsner can be very delicate. My Grandfathers favorite glasses were his Rheingold Pilsners. When it comes to Pilsners one of the best is out there is Victory Brewing’s Prima Pils.

Pint Glass (or Becker, Nonic, Tumbler)


Near cylindrical, with a slightly tapered base and a wide-mouth. When an Englishman goes out for a “jar or two with his mates” this is the preferred style. This is my facvorite glass for casual drinking. There are three basic types of pint glass: The heavy “Libby” pint glasses so common in brew pub bars today. Also known as a “Shaker Tumbler” or Mixing Glass to us old geezers. The traditional ”Nonic” British Pint (jar) that has a slight ridge towards the top (see image) this ridge acts as a grip of sorts. Lastly, the Becker (becher, or Willibecher) which is the German equivalent, tapering at the bottom and less so at the top, bowed out slightly in the middle. Pint glasses are easy to drink out of and generally more stable than the stemmed glassware styles. Pint Glasses are more elegant than a mug and in my mind more comfortable to hold over a long period of time. One possible downside is that the beer warms up faster as you have no handle to keep your hand insulated from the glass proper. This is easily remedied by drinking faster. As pints they are typically clear glass you can visually enjoy your beer. Most ales and lagers do well in a pint glass. I prefer the thinner glassed Nonic and Becher styles to the heavy Libby pints. Though I keep all three types on hand.

Snifter


Not just for Brandy, these wide-bowled short stemmed glasses with their tapered mouths are perfect for capturing the aromas of strong ales as they warm. Sizes vary, but they should provide enough room to swirl and agitate the brew and release the aroma. Try using a snifter with an Eisbock such as Aventinus or EKU 28, a Barley wine such as Heavyweight’s “Old Salty”, Brooklyn Brewing’ s “Monster” and Victory’s “Old Horizontal” or some of the stronger Belgian offerings such as Rochefort 10.



Stange (Slender Cylinder)


This style is a hard to come by traditional German glass. Stange translates in English as "stick" and these delicate, slender cylinders are used to serve more delicate beers. An acceptable substitute for a stange is a Tom Collins glass. This is the glass used for a “Alt” style ales such as or Uerirge Alt or Long Trail Ale (Long Trail Brewing, Vermont). This style glass also favors a Kolsch style summer beer such as Reissdorf or Gaffel. Most are rather small (.2 liter) and very thin walled. A cool glass of Kolsch on a hot evening in Atlantic Highlands is a sublime experience.

Tulip


A stemmed glass, the top of the glass pushes out a bit to form a lip in order to capture the head and the body is bulbous. Duvel’s signature glass is an oversized tulip. This style favors the more complex brews that have a complex bouquet but the flared top also supports a vigorous head which is not necessarily something you want in a brandy-style snifter. Some “Belgian” Scotch Ales are often served in a "thistle glass," which is a modified tulip glass that roughly resembles Scotland's national flower. Though in frugal Scotland itself such finery is rarely seen, the traditional Nonic pint is what is most often encountered there. Try Sam Adams Scotch Ale if you can find it from such a glass. The peat smoked malt makes for a delightful if someone different aroma.





Weizen Glass


On a sweltering day In Atlantic Highlands nothing beats a tall glass brimming with Weizenbier (wheat beer) or Weizenbock in an tall shapely Weizen Glass. These glasses, with their thin walls and softly curvaceous length, showcase the beer's hazy sunshine color and provides accommodation (temporarily)for a half liter of fragrant (banana and cloves), refreshing ale and also allows sufficient space to contain the dense, creamy head intrinsic to the lighter wheat beers. Most glasses are over 0.5L in size, with slight variations in shape. Oh and pass on the lemon garnish if offered, the oils in the lemon zest will kill the head. At home, be certain to rinse the glass with cool water right before you pour as this will keep the head manageable. My picks? Anything Ramstein (High Point Brewing, Butler NJ).




Where Do I get Glassware?

When it comes to Brewery Logo Glasses, I get mine online at the Global Beer Network and Johns Grocery in Iowa or locally at Spirits Unlimited in Red Bank or other local beer stores as part of Holiday Gift sets. Garage Sales also are a good source. Generic glasses are available at Crate and Barrel, Pier One Imports and Williams and Sonoma. And there is always e-bay…

How do I care for my cherished beer glasses?

Hand-wash all glasses in hot water. Do not put them in an automatic dishwasher as most dishwashers will leave a residue, which may affect the head retention as well as the flavor and aroma. Use a mild dishwashing soap, and if you are really anal retentive have a separate sponge for your glassware so there is not cross contamination from greasy food particles on a used sponge. Let them air dry, do not hand dry because the towel may leave dust particles which will affect the head retention. Caring for you glassware in this manner will also protect gold or silver- rimmed glasses and glasses with silk-screened brewery logos.

Cheers and happy hunting.

Think global and drink local. Next time we will discuss the proper pour and perhaps I may do a field trip or something.