Beer glassware

Pint or pokal? Snifter or stange? Tulip or tumbler? If you've got a beer in your hand, there's a perfect glass to go with it. Many people drink straight from the bottle or can, but there's a whole world of flavor waiting to be enjoyed when sipped from a glass. Learn more about the types of beer glasses, and see if you can't find a great brew to go with whatever you've got in your cupboard.

Beer glass illustration by Chris Weibring

Flute Glass

The flute glass is the famed drinking vessel for champagne, but also moonlights as a favorable beer glass. Flute glasses slender, delicate, and excellent for maintaining carbonation.

Goblet

Who doesn't want to drink from a goblet or chalice? This famous beer glass is ancient and regal, designed for visual aesthetics and liquid capacity.

Mug

No beer glass delivers quantity like the mug or beer stein. It can accommodate a wide range of styles and is designed for volume and ease of use. If you're going the distance—or need something to defend yourself—look no further than the beer mug.

Pilsner Glass

A favorite for the lighter beer styles, the pilsner or pokal glass is tall and slender, useful for showcasing a beer's color, clarity, and carbonation. It's also designed to maximize aroma and head retention.

Pint Glass

The becker, the nonic, the tumbler: chances are if you've had a beer in something other than its original packaging, you're familiar this beer glass. America has a smaller version (16 oz tumbler) than the rest of the world (20 oz pint). They're easy to handle and drink from. Case closed.

Snifter

Sometimes beer just needs to be swirled. The snifter, famous as the glass for cognac and brandy, is all about focusing the power of stronger ales. The tapered lip concentrates aroma, and makes it easy to agitate the liquid without spilling.

Stange

The stange glass is basically a tall cylinder. It's a traditional German glass meant for accentuating the malt and hop aromas of the more delicate styles of beer.

Tulip

The tulip glass is a glass that's shaped like a tulip. But seriously: the tulip is one of the most aesthetic beer vessels on the shelf. It focuses the eye and the nose, capturing flavor and aroma while also maintaining a big foamy head.

Weizen Glass

Ah yes, the famous weizen glass. Tall and thin, designed to accentuate the wonderful features of wheat beer, especially their huge, foamy, highly aromatic heads.

Wine Glass

An oversized wine glass is the perfect vessel for the darker Belgian ale styles like Dubbels, Tripels, and Quadrupels. Think wide, stemmed, 22oz beer delivery vessels. Sophisticated and classy.