When it comes to beer, choosing the right glass isn’t just about looks—though it certainly helps make your beer look amazing! The real reason we use specific glasses for different beer styles is to enhance the drinking experience. A well-chosen glass can highlight a beer’s aromas and flavors, taking your enjoyment to a whole new level. Because as any craft beer lover knows, aroma plays a huge role in how we taste beer. Here are the best craft beer glasses for every beer style.
Below are some of the most common types of beer glasses and the styles they best complement:
American Pint Glass
The classic American pint glass is simple, sturdy, and holds 16 ounces. You’ll find it everywhere, from your local dive bar to top-tier breweries. It doesn’t do much to enhance the beer’s aroma or flavor, but it’s an easy, all-purpose go-to for casual drinking.
Perfect for: American lagers, pale ales, IPAs, and just about anything.
Imperial Pint Glass
Like the American pint but bigger! The Imperial Pint Glass holds a full 20 ounces and features a slight lip at the top. It’s ideal for British ales and other classic styles. The extra room allows for a thicker foam head, keeping those hoppy and malty aromas locked in.
Perfect for: Pale ales, porters, milk stouts, and Scotch ales.
Pilsner Glass
Tall, slim, and slightly flared at the top, the pilsner glass is perfect for showing off the sparkle and bubbles of lighter beers. It helps retain a foamy head and keeps the aromas right where you want them—under your nose. Great for those crisp, refreshing brews.
Perfect for: Pilsners, Vienna lagers, blonde ales, and Japanese rice lagers.
Tulip Glass
With its bulbous base and flared lip, the tulip glass is designed for swirling. This shape traps aromas and enhances the beer’s head, making it the go-to for more aromatic, malty, or hoppy beers. The short stem makes it easy to handle and adds to the sensory experience.
Perfect for: Belgian ales, barleywines, double IPAs, saisons, and Scotch ales.
IPA Glass
With its iconic ridges and slender, tapered design, the IPA glass aerates your beer with every sip. Those ridges help release the hoppy aromatics, directing them straight to your nose. Many are nucleated (etched at the bottom) to maintain a steady stream of bubbles.
Perfect for: All types of IPAs—West Coast, New England, Double, and Imperial IPAs.
Stout Glass
Designed in collaboration with brewers, this glass is made for stouts. It enhances roasted malt flavors like coffee and chocolate, while the narrow mouth helps retain a thick, creamy head. The unique shape of the bowl and base brings out the deep richness of stout beers.
Perfect for: All stouts, including milk, oatmeal, and imperial stouts.
Weizen Glass
Long and curvy, the weizen glass is designed for wheat beers. It locks in the classic banana and clove aromas of hefeweizens while giving plenty of space for that thick, fluffy head. The glass is usually larger, holding half a liter to show off the full color and body of the beer.
Perfect for: Hefeweizens, dunkelweizens, and weizenbocks.
Teku Glass
The Teku is often considered the ultimate craft beer glass. Its thin lip and long stem make it a beautiful and functional piece of glassware. The tulip-shaped bowl traps and enhances aromas, making it ideal for complex, aromatic beers. While it’s versatile, it’s best suited for strong and sour brews.
Perfect for: Lambics, sours, fruit beers, and any beer you want to savor.
Beer Mug
Beer mugs are iconic. With their thick walls and handle, they keep your beer cold and your hands warm. The handle also prevents heat transfer, keeping your beer frosty longer. They come in various styles and are a classic choice for pub settings.
Perfect for: American, German, English, and Irish beers.
British Dimpled Beer Mug
The British dimpled beer mug is a classic piece of pub glassware that exudes tradition. With its sturdy handle and thick, dimpled glass walls, it’s perfect for holding a pint of your favorite British ale or lager. The dimples not only add a unique aesthetic but also catch the light, making the beer look even more enticing. The handle keeps your hand from warming the beer, and the weighty feel of the glass makes each sip satisfying.
Perfect for: Mild, a Bitter, or a Pale Ale
Oktoberfest Stein
The Oktoberfest stein is an iconic symbol of German beer culture, especially during the festive season. Traditionally made from stoneware or glass, this large, robust mug is designed to hold a full liter of beer, making it perfect for the celebratory atmosphere of Oktoberfest. The thick walls keep the beer cold for longer, and the sturdy handle makes it easy to raise in a toast or “Prost!” Its heavy-duty construction can withstand the lively, communal drinking experience of German beer halls.
Perfect for: Oktobefest, Märzen, Helles, or a traditional lager
Using the right glass for each beer style really enhances the experience. Whether you’re pouring a crisp pilsner or a rich stout, the right glass helps bring out the beer’s true character. So next time you’re at your favorite brewery, grab the right glass and see how it elevates your brew!
