There’s a lot of reasons why beer is the drink of choice for many people and many occasions. After working hard all week, it tastes like the liquid equivalent of a high five. A sip (or gulp) can put you in a relaxing mood.
Unlike other types of libation, beer is flexible. You can enjoy it straight from the bottle or poured into beer glasses. Have a large frothy pint of porter with friends at a pub or kick back with a six-pack of Bud by yourself while watching TV on the couch.
Beer also has a number of purported health benefits. It is said to reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. It can also prevent dementia and increase bone density.
In recent years there has been a growing demand for craft beer. More and more liquor lovers are discovering that, like fine wine, drinking a high-quality brew is an experience in itself. When you open a bottle or a can of craft beer, carbonation is released, which in turn, releases gas that enhances its aroma, color, and flavor.Best Beer Glasses Comparison & Rating
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In order to get the full effect of drinking craft beer at home, pour it into a glass. Not just any glass though. Whether you’re into the lager’s spiciness or an ale’s more robust flavor, the right container can make your favorite Friday night activity a lot more classy.
Shopping for beer glasses can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve scoured Amazon for the best ones to add to your kitchen cupboard.
KegWorks Rastal Teku Stemmed Glass
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Brand | KegWorks |
Color | Transaparent |
Weight | 0.4 pounds |
Capacity | 420 milliliters |
The Teku glass is definitely the best option out there, whether you’re a craft beer aficionado or just trying out specialty brews for the first time. It showcases the full flavors and aromas of the beer. And you get to keep it cool too! The stem prevents heat from your hands from transferring to your drink. When you’re done, you can just place it in the dishwasher along with other tableware for quick and easy cleanup.
Spiegelau IPA Glass
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Brand | Spiegelau |
Color | Transparent |
Weight | 0.5 pounds |
Capacity | 19 fluid ounces |
These Spieglau glasses truly bring out the flavor of your IPA. Regardless of how many of these ales you drink, it will always taste fresh and cold. Many “true” IPA glasses have a "nucleation" point at the very center of the bottom of the inside, but these didn't have that. They are exquisitely crafted and look good with all the other items in your glass cabinet. Or you can surprise another IPA-drinking friend with a couple of these as a gift.
Libbey Pint Glass
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Brand | Libbey |
Color | Transparent |
Weight | 11.2 pounds |
Capacity | 16 fluid ounces |
Libbey glasses are exactly as advertised. They won’t break even when accidentally dropped on a tiled floor. They are sturdy enough to be continuously washed in a dishwasher and can double as a drinking glass when you’re in a pinch. If you’re feeling fancy but lack all the barware necessary to make a bar-worthy style cocktail, these pint glasses can stand in for a cocktail mixer. Versatile and durable, what more can you ask for?
Luigi Bormioli Pilsner Glass
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Brand | Luigi Bormioli |
Color | Transparent |
Weight | 3.8 pounds |
Capacity | 15.25 fluid ounces |
Another sturdy glass on our list, these Luigi Pilsner glasses are flute-shaped to give you better flavor quality for your choice of light beer. Its design was intended to show off a pilsner’s sparkling color and fluffy head. Being made from lead-free crystal, you’re sure to get a delicious drink in a gorgeous looking glass. Not to mention a full-bodied flavor with each sip. Overall these glasses just go to show that innovative glassmaking techniques can really go a long way to enhance the beer-drinking experience.
Bormioli Roco Snifter Glasses
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Brand | Bormioli Roco |
Color | Transparent |
Weight | 2.91 Pounds |
Capacity | 18 fluid ounces |
These snifter glasses are really one of the best out there. If you’re into heavier beer variants, you will love how these glasses concentrate and highlight the flavors of your favorite English ale. The large surface area transfers heat from your palm to the glass and ensures that you consume your dark brew at perfect room temperature. And when you’re done having a nightcap, just add it in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. A great addition to your existing homeware collection and something that your kids can inherit too!
Beer Glass Buyer's Guide
When buying beer glassware, consider the type of beer you like to drink. For example, a pint glass is a good choice for a wide variety of light beers but is ideal for lagers.
Crystal glasses cost a bit more but will encourage the beer to maintain a thick, creamy head as you drink – not just for the first few mouthfuls.
Beer glasses with stems like the Teku and steins like a beer mug allows you to maintain proper serving temperature for your chilly beverage.
The best beer glasses aren’t always the priciest ones. Consider your own beer drinking needs and compare products to make an informed decision when buying them.
FAQs
There are more than a handful of glassware suitable for beer drinking. The most common ones are the following:
Pint - a utilitarian glass that’s wider at the mouth than at the base and holds 16 oz of liquid. This description best fits the American Pint Glass. The Imperial Pint Glass can hold a full 20 oz of beer and features a small lip at the mouth.
Pilsner - tall, slim, and slightly wider at the mouth, a pilsner glass makes visible the sparkle, clarity, and bubbles of pilsners and other lighter beers.
Tulip or Belgian Glasses - features a bulbous body and a flared lip, this glass is designed to capture the head and promote the aroma and flavor of Belgian ales and other malty, hoppy beers.
Thistle Glasses - characterized by a short stem, bulbous bottom, and elongated top section that’s noticeably more sharp and angular than that of the tulip.
Goblet Glasses - has a large, head-retaining round bowl and a thick stem.
IPA Glasses - has iconic ridges that aerate your favorite hoppy beer with each sip, releasing volatile aromatics in the process.
Stout Glasses - the shape of the base and angle of the bowl accentuate the roasted malts and notes of rich coffee and chocolate that define stout beers.
Weizen Glasses - features thin walls and a lot of length to showcase the color of wheat beers.
Teku Stemmed Glasses - features an 11.2- or 14.2-ounce tulip-like bowl, a remarkably thin lip, and an elegant long stem that prevents your hands from transferring warmth to your beer.
Beer Mugs - come in a variety of shapes and sizes. What holds true for all beer mugs, however, is the handle projecting from one side. It’s a design feature that helps prevent heat transference from your hand to the beer. Beer mugs also tend to have relatively thick glass walls for durability and insulation.
To get your glasses "beer glass clean”, it’s best to clean them by hand instead of chucking them into the dishwasher.
Mix 2 tsp. of baking soda, ½ tsp. of salt, and 4 tsp. of water in a bowl to make a paste with a consistency that’s a little thinner than toothpaste. Coat the inside of the glass with the paste and use a bottle brush to scrub. The stiff bristles and salt should remove anything that is stuck to the glass. Rinse the glass with cool, filtered water. It is especially important to make sure all of the paste has been rinsed from the glass. Non-filtered water, or hard water, can leave a thin film or mineral deposits on the glass. Place the glass upside down on a drying rack. Allow the glasses to air dry instead of using a towel (which can leave fuzzies in your glass).
‘Beer clean’ is an industry term describing a glass that is free of any impurities that would give carbon dioxide a place to cling to, ensuring the beer’s best look and taste.
Fat or grease-based residues like milk or dish soap can all leave a clear film on the glass. This film causes the speedy release of carbonation, causing your beer to go flat, and changing the taste. Odors absorbed from stale air, smoke, or drying towels, may also give the beer an off-taste.