How to choose the correct beer glass
If beer is your beverage of choice, you’ve probably noticed that fancy bars tend to serve each beer in a different, unique glass. Ever wondered why that is? Like here at BrewDog, many brands have their own branded glassware, which helps them promote their product even after you’ve already purchased it. But, there are other reasons that bars use various pint glasses for specific beverages. And if you want to become a true beer connoisseur, learning to pick the best pint glass for your beer will take you one step closer to that goal.
How a craft beer glass makes a difference
Perhaps you’re the type who likes to drink straight from the bottle or show off a trendy beer can. But we’re here to tell you that a good craft beer glass that fits the beer type can change the drinking experience.
The Rim
The wider it is, the more it lets carbonation out, which we typically want to avoid with beers. That is why wider-rim glasses are best for beers you want to consume quite fast. A smaller rim will keep carbonation for longer and only allow small sips. That’s best for artisanal beers you want to take your time with.
The Smell
The sense of smell plays a big part in the culinary experience. When something smells delicious, the taste usually matches. The same goes for drinking. When it comes to beer glasses, various shapes can preserve the foam and disperse the aroma in different ways. The correct glass will greet your nose with a delectable scent every time you take a sip.
The Appearance
The way beverages look also plays a part in elevating the experience. Even the most common beer, like a Pilsner, looks much more elegant in a tall, slim pint glass. And bars may serve cloudy beers in beer steins to conceal them.
Pick the right beer glass for your beer
Now that we’ve explained how a craft beer glass can improve the drinking experience, we’ll go over the most common beer glasses and which BrewDog beers they go with.
Pint glass and beer mugs
A pint glass is the most common beer glass around. It is shaped like a cone with a larger rim and holds up to 568ml of beer. This pint glass, also named the Nonic pint, has a slight bulge close to the top. That bulge helps to protect the glasses from chipping when stacked together (hence the name no-knick). Since it’s so big, this glass is best for beers with low alcohol volume, especially ales.
Beer mugs fall under the same category as the pint. They are as big, with a wide rim, which makes them suitable for drinks you wish to chug down.
IPA glass
While IPA fits fine in a pint glass, there’s the IPA glass for more floral, fruity, earthy, or piney types of beer. For instance, BrewDog’s best-selling IPAs such as Punk IPA perfectly match this glass. The narrow rim is designed to amplify the aromatics to help you enjoy the beer even more. And the etching on the bottom of the glass helps to control the release of carbonation.
Schooner Glass
Schooner glasses hold two thirds of a pint, making them the perfect size for full-strength IPAs or a great Pale Ales. The stem makes them easy to handle without warming the beer.
Tulip glass
This type of beer glass was designed initially for Belgian ales. It has a short stem and a ball-shaped body that curves outwards at the rim. That top shape is excellent for maintaining the foam, while the narrow bottom keeps aromatics from escaping. With the stem, the drinker can swirl the beer to reveal more aromas and enhance the experience.
Goblet
This traditional-style glass is reserved for malty and heavier beers, such as German bock and Belgian IPAs. It usually looks like a wide champagne glass with a short stem. The wide top helps the drinker analyse the notes of the beer better.
Harmony Glass
Good people drink good beer. And the glass doesn’t lie. It’s the perfect size for a 330ml can of your choosing, with the bulb shape being perfect to concentrate the aromas of craft beer. We’ll cheers to that.
Hero Glass
Our hero is a bespoke design and shape that you won’t find anywhere else. The tall glass style with a wider opening is perfectly suited to the lager style, supported by an angular silhouette that makes it fit perfectly in the hand.
Kölsch Glass
A sleek and slim glass designed for Kolsch-style lager. Inspired by the brewing and drinking traditions of Cologne, this glass is perfect for enjoying beautifully crafted lagers at a leisurely pace.
Teku Glass
Designed with craft beer in mind, this tulip shaped glass concentrates the aromas in the bowl, while the stem keeps your hands from warming the beer. Designed by a sensory expert and a top craft brewer, this was the glass of choice for our when we ran our monthly BrewDog & Friends craft beer club.
Pilsner glass
As mentioned before, this thin glass is standard for lighter beers, such as the BrewDog Lost Lagers. The shape of the glass allows you to enjoy the beer’s colours and carbonation, while the wider rim provides more robust aromas. It’s important to note that it’s usually smaller than most beer glasses.
As you can tell, a beer glass is more than a necessity. It can transform the beverage and improve it immensely. So hopefully, this guide can help you buy the correct type of glassware for your next dinner party, and you can stock up on BrewDog craft beer accordingly.
Best Sellers
Shore Leave
MALTY. BISCUIT. CARAMEL
Amber Ale ‧ 4.3% ‧ 10 x Can 440ml + 1 x Glass
