Are You Choosing The Right Glass For Your Beer?

Your standard pint works for many of your basic beers, however it's best for a nice brown ale or a lager, like a Sam Adams. Being the basic, however, it's also proper for reds, and so many of those seasonal beers (Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Ale, etc.)

This variation on the American Pint includes a small bump just below the lip of the glass, which makes it great for stacking, but also allows for proper head to form. It's the basic of British pubs, and is great for English ales, stouts, and porters.

This is also a very basic beer glass selection, and works for most beers. It's better than a pint or nonic as the handle keeps the beer from getting warm while held. So why is it not as common as the pint. The handle simply makes it more difficult to store, as it takes up more space.

You may have guessed by now that the beer best served in this glass is well, a pilsner (and other light/pale beers).  However, it's also good for a lager or bock.  The tall shape allows for the beer to show off its color and carbonation, while the wider opening sets off a good presentation for the head, and traps in the aroma.

If you love your wheat beers, this is the only glass you should ever see.  The glass is similar to a Pilsner, as it's purpose is much the same, to show off the color and allow for proper head to form to trap in the aroma. However, while the straight design of the Pilsner is meant to show off the carbonation, the curves of the Weizen and larger top are more to emphasize the color and beauty of a wheat.

The glass is easy to pick out as it's short and stout like a goblet, but with an indentation just below the lip of the glass.  This is the perfect glass for an IPA, partially known for its foamy head.  The stem allows drinkers to hold the beer without warming it.  The glass is also good for Scottish or Belgian Ales.

This majestic glass is set to show off majestic beers, the ones that are best sipped, vs. downed.  The best example would be a good Belgian Ale. The proper goblet should show off continuous carbonation bubbles and head retention. It also has a fairly thick build.

While you may not be used to this one, it's pretty traditional in Germany.  Stange means stick, and the glass is know for it's tall, cylinder shape. It's best used for the more delicate beers, like a Kolsch. You can substitute a Tom Collins glass if you don't have a proper Stange glass.

Before putting any beer in this glass, know that this glass is meant for 2 things: sniffing the aroma, enhanced by heating the glass as it rests in your palm.  If you don't want your beer warm at all, don't choose this glass.  It works great for stouts, strong ales, also select IPAs, and Belgian Ales.

If you thought the snifter was an oddity on this list (meant normally for brandy), no doubt you're curious how a champagne flute is also on here. As strange as it is, this is the perfect device for showcasing special beers known for their carbonation and sparkling color, much like champagne. Lambic fruit beers are perfect in this glass. However, despite the nickname, it's probably not the best vessel for the "Champagne of Beers", the moniker for a specific lower end american beer.