What are different beer glass types?

Some beer styles are best served in beer glasses specifically designed to enhance their aromas, based on their shape. Pint glasses are perhaps the most versatile, accommodating a range of beers. Tulip glasses are best suited for stronger brews like Belgian beers, and IPA glasses feature an etched bottom that elevates hop aromatics. Pilsner and Weizen glasses look similar in that they’re both tall and slender, but the latter features more curvature to enhance wheat beers and the former is designed for crisp pilsners and lighter beers.

What are the best glasses for craft beer?

Lagers are typically light and crisp and work best in pilsner glasses, which are designed to retain the beer’s head. Tulip and goblet glasses help enhance the more rich and dense flavor of ales, with their large, round bowls and chubby stems. They also work great for IPAs, but there are specifically-designed IPA glasses featuring ridges and a tapered bowl that work to release carbonation and deliver aromas.

The 11 Best Beer Glasses of 2023

You might have aligned yourself as either a wine drinker or beer drinker, but it turns out, both beverages have something in common. Much like wine, certain styles of beer are best served in specific styles of glasses designed to enhance a brew’s best qualities.

We’ve categorized some of the best beer glasses in the market with all beer lovers in mind, which range in size, style, and shape. There are the basic pint glasses and beer mugs for the traditional, the pilsner and Weizen glasses for craft brews, and those aptly named after the beers they’re best suited for—think stouts, ales, and IPAs.

No matter what your favorite beer is, you’re bound to find a glass here that will make it taste that much better. Read on for the best beer glasses.

Best Overall: Crate and Barrel Portland Beer Glass

Pour any beer into this beer glass, and it’ll taste just right. Made to welcome brews of all types and designed with a pillowy head meant to enhance aromas, the Portland Beer Glass acts as a universal go-to. At a super-affordable price point for a set of four, this is a practical set that can’t be beaten.

Price at time of publish: $24

Best Budget: Luxu Pint Glasses

These English pub pint glasses are everything you could want in a beer glass: versatile, functional, and budget-friendly. A curve at the top adds style while providing a comfortable grip and creating width in the glass to enhance flavors. You'll definitely want these staples in your bar cabinet.

Price at time of publish: $22

Best Splurge: Orrefors Metropol Beer Pair

Slender and elegant, this crystal stemware pair makes drinking beer feel fancy. Black undertones at the base elevate a sharp, modern Scandinavian design made to hold up to 15.6 ounces of brew. Just make sure to hand wash this pair so they stay in their prime condition.

Price at time of publish: $190

Best for IPAs: Spiegelau 2-Pack Beer Classics IPA Glass

IPAs don’t belong in just any beer glass. These 19-ounce glasses were specifically designed by two leading IPA brewers to highlight the best of “hop-forward” IPA beers. A ridged bottom helps release aromas, while the structure of the base helps create a frothy head that preserves the aromas and enhances the taste.

Price at time of publish: $110

Best for Belgian Beer: Libbey Craft Brew Belgian Ale Glasses

This 16-ounce, four-piece set is made specifically for Belgian ales. A wide bowl that caves into a narrow top creates a tulip silhouette that will capture a beer’s head and release its aroma, while a chubby stem prevents the drink from getting warm in your hand and provides durability.

Price at time of publish: $30

Best for Stout Beer: Spiegelau Stout Craft Beer Glass

Another stellar option in German glassware company Spiegelau’s craft brew series, this beer glass is tailor-made to accentuate the flavors of roasted malts and dark beers thanks to the shape of its base and the angle of its bowl. A slightly narrowed mouth will capture the head. You can purchase just one or get a set of four.

Price at time of publish: $53

Best for a Variety of Beers: Libbey Craft Brews Assorted Glass Set

Can’t pick a favorite beer? With pilsner, English pub, Belgian ale, stout, wheat, and craft pub glasses, this six-piece craft brew set has got you covered. Each glass is meant to bring out the flavors of its specific brew. It’s perfect for the beer connoisseur, whether you’re aching for an American lager or a pale ale.

Price at time of publish: $35

Best Mug: Bormioli Rocco Solid Heavy Large Beer Glasses with Handle

Bormioli Rocco 4-Pack Solid Heavy Large Beer Glasses with Handle — Courtesy of Amazon

A traditional German-style beer mug gets an elevated twist with a base boasting a glass-cut design. The mug is just as functional as it is pretty—the base is also weighted, providing stability; a large handle makes for a comfortable grip, and its 17.25-ounce capacity allows for ample room for beer.

Price at time of publish: $36

Best Design: Whiskey Peaks Half Dome Beer Glass

This slender beer glass duo gets a big nod for its top-notch design that calls out to any nature lover. At the bottom of each glass is a raised topographic impression of Yosemite’s famous Half Dome. Plus, they’re made from hand-blown lead glass, which is just as durable but lighter than leaded glass.

Price at time of publish: $30

Best Modern: iitalla Essence Beer Glass

Wine glass or beer glass? We can hardly tell, this set of four is so sophisticated. These beer glasses boast a contemporary aesthetic with a wide bowl on top of a slender stem, so your beer doesn’t get too warm. Subtle black coloring at the base lends an edgy vibe.

Price at time of publish: $110

Best Insulated: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Sorrento Double-Wall Beer Glasses

The best way to keep your beer chilled is with an insulated beer glass. This pair features double walls for maximum chill and minimum condensation—no coasters needed here! Mouthblown from borosilicate glass, these 14-ounce beer glasses are just as stylish as they are effective.

Price at time of publish: $25

What to look for in beer glasses

If you’re not a picky beer drinker or just like to have a universal glass on hand for guests, a versatile universal-style glass is probably your best bet. But if you have a favorite craft beer, get specific with a glass that's meant for lighter brews, IPAs, stouts, and other brew styles. To cover all the bases, you can’t go wrong with a craft brew set that offers up all the options.

FAQ

What are different beer glass types?

Some beer styles are best served in beer glasses specifically designed to enhance their aromas, based on their shape. Pint glasses are perhaps the most versatile, accommodating a range of beers. Tulip glasses are best suited for stronger brews like Belgian beers, and IPA glasses feature an etched bottom that elevates hop aromatics. Pilsner and Weizen glasses look similar in that they’re both tall and slender, but the latter features more curvature to enhance wheat beers and the former is designed for crisp pilsners and lighter beers.
What are the best glasses for craft beer?

Lagers are typically light and crisp and work best in pilsner glasses, which are designed to retain the beer’s head. Tulip and goblet glasses help enhance the more rich and dense flavor of ales, with their large, round bowls and chubby stems. They also work great for IPAs, but there are specifically-designed IPA glasses featuring ridges and a tapered bowl that work to release carbonation and deliver aromas.

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Hillary Hoffower has over six years of experience writing for the wedding industry, covering everything from bridal fashion trends to wedding decor. Before 2020, she used to explore Brooklyn’s breweries, but now she takes her brews at home. One of her favorite beers, an Allagash White, is a wheat beer, which is best served in a Weizen glass.