Beer Glass Types

Wheat beer glass
A wheat beer glass is a glass is used to serve wheat beer, known also as Weizenbier or Weißbier. The German glass generally holds 0.5 litres with room for foam or "head". It is much taller than a pint glass, and starts out very skinny before growing slightly at the top. In other countries such as Belgium, the glass may be 0.25 litres or 0.33 litres. The tall glass provides room for the often thick, fluffy heads produced by the style, which traps aromas and is visually pleasing.

Pint glass
A pint glass is a drinking vessel holding a British pint (568ml; ≈1.2 US pints) of liquid and is usually used for beer. Three common shapes of pint glass are found, though others are available. Good for serving stouts, porters and English ales.

Pilsner glass or Willybecher
A pilsner glass is a glass is used to serve many types of light beers, but is intended for its namesake, the pilsner. Pilsner glasses are generally smaller then a pint glass, ususally in 25cl or 33cl sizes. They are tall and slender and tapered. Weizen glasses are often mistakenly referred to as Pilsner glasses, but a true Pilsner glass has an even taper without curvature. Pilsner glasses are made to showcase the color, effervescence and clarity of the Pilsner style, as well as maintain a nice head.

Beer stein
A beer stein is a traditionally German beer tankard or mug, made of pewter, silver, wood, porcelain, earthenware or glassware, and usually with a hinged lid and levered thumblift. The lid was implemented during the age of the Black Plague, to prevent diseased flies from getting into the beer.

Nonik Glass, English Pint Glass or Imperial Pint Glass
A glass similar to a pint glass but has a curved lip about two inches from the top of the glass. This glass is typically used with English ales.

Flute glass
A flute glass is the preferred serving vessel for Belgian lambics and fruit beers. The narrow shape helps maintain carbonation, while providing a strong aromatic front. Flute glasses display the lively carbonation, sparkling color and soft lacing of this distinct style.

Goblet or Chalice
Goblets and chalices are large, stemmed bowl shaped glasses adequate for serving heavy Belgian ales, German doppelbocks and eisbocks and other big sipping beers. The distinction between goblet and chalice is typically in the glass thickness. Goblets tend to be more delicate and thin, while the chalice is heavy and thick walled. Some chalices are even etched on the bottom to attract carbon dioxide and provide a stream of bubbles for maintaining a nice head.

Snifters
Typically used for serving brandy and cognac, a snifter is perfect for capturing the volatiles of aromatic beers, such as Belgian ales, India pale ales, barleywines and wheat wines. The shape helps trap the volatiles, while allowing swirling to agitate them and produce an intense aroma.

Tulip glass
A tulip glass not only helps trap the aroma, but also aids in maintaining large heads, creating a a visual and olfactory sensation. The body is bulbous, but the top flares out to form a lip which helps head retention. Good for serving Scottish ales, barleywines, Belgian ales and other aromatic beers.


Dimpled mug or Krug
A classic in North America, the dimpled mug is a large mug, with dimples, and a handle. It is convex, with the mouth larger than the base. The glass is thick and these glasses typically hold .4, .5 for 1 liters of beer. While the dimples make appreciating the appearance of the beer more difficult, the wide mouth releases the aroma just nicely. These mugs are most commonly used for German lagers.

Pokal or Footed Pilsner
A small, almost straight-sided glass sits on an inch-long stem and foot. The basic footed pilsner has a slightly bulbous bottom and narrower mouth, which makes it better for drinking than for smelling, and places the most emphasis on the appearance. It has a bit more style than some other glasses, so it is best used for pilsners, and decent cream or golden ales than for lagers.

Stange Glass
A typically glass typically used with German black beer glass or Schwartz Beer.  They are tall beer glass only slightly flared at top.

Stick or Stuck Glass
A simple cylinder shaped glass typically used for German Kölsch and Alt beers.

Tumbler
A short thick walled glass used typically for lambic and Belgian ales.