Buzz
You might believe there's nothing more straightforward than enjoying a cold beer after a hard day's work. But I'm afraid you're mistaken. While beer might not have the same allure as wine or cocktails, most beer drinkers are aware of the many beer styles available. This variety is primarily about personal taste, and it doesn't complicate the process of savoring a drink: simply pour it into a glass and enjoy. Right? Most of us don't pay much attention to the glass we use—perhaps we should.
There are a few things almost all beer experts agree on. For example, nearly every cicerone (essentially a beer expert) despises frosted glasses (Master Cicerone Neil Witte mentions that the cold glass creates excessive foam, leaving the beer tasting flat). There's also a shared dislike for the standard shaker pint glass (according to Michael Memsic, cofounder of Sanitas Brewing Company, this glass is meant for shaking—think daiquiris, not beer). And everyone agrees: your beer glass should be spotless—like really spotless.
However, there's growing debate over the specific glasses you should use to drink your beer. Some experts, like Tim Pollard, argue that “nucleation” points (places in the glass that encourage bubbles and foam, either due to the glass’s design or etching) help maintain the beer’s head while enhancing its aroma, with the glass shape aiding in trapping that scent for your enjoyment and spreading the beer evenly on your palate. On the other hand, beer writer Lew Bryson believes the notion that you need a particular glass for each beer style is largely a marketing strategy. Renowned beer writer Stephen Beaumont suggests that you can get by with just a few glasses—like a pint glass (other than the shaker) for lighter beers and a tulip or snifter for stronger brews.
So, maybe you don't *need* a specific glass for every beer you enjoy—but if you’re aiming to be a bit fancy (and perhaps annoyingly particular) about it, here’s a guide to the glassware you should own for twelve common beer styles—and why it supposedly matters.
German Pilsners: Use a footed pilsner glass
The traditional German pilsner is a pale, transparent beer with a moderate alcohol by volume (ABV).
As Cicerone Collin Zreet explains, lower-ABV beers are perfect for a footed pilsner glass because they allow for more volume—meaning you can drink more without getting overly intoxicated.
Pilsner glasses also tend to have thicker glass, which helps keep the beer cooler for a longer period.
Low ABV Lagers: Mass mug
When you spot a Mass mug, you likely think of Oktoberfest or beer gardens. These large, thick mugs, usually holding a liter, are ideal for low-ABV beers like lagers, according to cicerone Collin Zreet. The thick glass helps maintain a cold temperature even in warm outdoor settings. Since the beer inside isn’t overly strong (the Cicerone Certification Program recommends only beers under 6% ABV for a Mass mug), drinking a full liter won’t leave you feeling too tipsy.
Wheat Beer: Weizen vase glass
As advanced cicerone Brandon Plyler explains, the weizen vase glass is ideal for highly-carbonated beers, as its tall shape minimizes the beer’s surface area, helping to preserve the bubbles.
Michael Memsic points out that the slight curve at the top of the weizen vase encourages more foam, which releases the beer’s aroma and enhances its taste.
Kölsch: Stange glass
Master Cicerone Neil Witte points out that the stange glass is typically used for one specific beer: the German kölsch. A hybrid between an ale and lager, the key characteristic of kölsch is its high drinkability. Cicerone Mandy Naglich mentions that traditionally, stange glasses are small, often served in multiples, allowing you to enjoy several without becoming overly intoxicated.
The small size also supports the beer’s carbonation—your drink is unlikely to go flat or warm before you finish it. Additionally, like other tall and narrow glasses, the stange helps maintain the beer’s foam.
Any lager: Willi Becher glass
Though many associate the Willi Becher glass (named after its inventor) with German-style lagers, Cicerone David Nilsen argues that it’s perfect for nearly any lager or low-alcohol ale. “The slightly inward-sloping rim captures aroma and aids in head retention, while the glass’s narrow diameter highlights the brilliant clarity of a fine lager,” he explains.
High ABV beers (stouts, barleywines, eisbocks): Snifter
Snifters may make you feel sophisticated, but they also have a functional role when enjoying beer. Cicerone Collin Zreet points out that snifters are typically smaller and made of thinner glass compared to, say, a pilsner glass, making them perfect for high-ABV beers like stouts. Their compact size also ensures you won’t overindulge, and the warmth from your hand helps the beer open up more. According to Master Cicerone Neil Witte, take advantage of the snifter’s stem—it lets you warm your beer to your preferred temperature and maintain it for longer.
Witbiers, lambics, Flanders Red: French jelly glass
Beer expert Natalya Watson explains that Belgian witbiers are best enjoyed in French jelly glasses (sometimes known as Hoegaarden glasses, named after a beer often served in them). The Cicerone Certification Program also recommends this type of glass for Lambic-style beers and sour ales like Flanders Red. The inward curve of the glass is said to help trap the beer’s aroma.
Saisons: Tulip glass
The Cicerone Certification Program suggests that a tulip-style glass is perfect for many Belgian beer styles, especially saisons. With their low ABV and high carbonation, brewer Michael Memsic explains that the tulip’s shape helps preserve the beer’s flavor and aroma until you’re ready to sip. (The gentle lip at the top of the glass plays a role in this.) Cicerone Collin Zreet also points out that the tulip’s thinner glass—much like a snifter—lets the warmth from your hands gently heat the beer, enhancing its aroma and making the overall drinking experience more flavorful.
Abbey Ales: Goblet
Abbey ales are often quite potent, with some reaching alcohol by volume (ABV) levels as high as 14%. For this reason, cicerone Collin Zreet advises drinking them from a goblet-style glass. The smaller size of the goblet, combined with its bowl-like design, allows you to experience the full range of the beer’s aroma and flavors with every sip. Beer expert Bruce Glassman emphasizes that the goblet is ideal for taking 'big sips,' which is especially important when enjoying heavy, high-ABV beers.
Irish Stout: Tulip pint glass
The tulip pint is a familiar sight when you think of a classic Guinness glass. Cicerone Christopher Barnes explains that the tulip pint’s top is better than a shaker pint at keeping the beer’s head intact (Tim McKirdy at VinePair agrees, pointing out that 'the inward curve toward the rim of this glass style strengthens the beer’s head and creates the ideal thick, creamy foam'). The Cicerone Certification Program confirms that the tulip pint is also perfect for British- or Irish-style ales.
Irish Ale: Nonic pint glass
The Nonic pint, with its thick glass designed to maintain the beer’s chill, stands out because of the distinct 'bump' that appears about two-thirds of the way up. Beer writer William Bostwick explains that this feature was intended to prevent 'nicks,' or chips, in the glass, but Brie Shelley at BevSpot adds that it also contributes to a more 'substantial' foam head, which in turn helps concentrate the beer’s aromas. This makes it perfect for low-to-moderate ABV beers.
British Ale: Pub Mug
The pub mug, often seen as charming in its appearance, has more to it than meets the eye. Brewer Michael Memsic explains that it’s perfect for lighter ales, such as mild Irish or English varieties, and even for delicate European lagers. This is because it doesn't trap carbonation or aromas too much. Cicerone Collin Zreet notes that the thick glass helps maintain the beer’s coldness, especially when served at lower temperatures, and the handle keeps your warm hands from heating up the beer.
