Types of Beer Glasses for Every Style of Beer

One important aspect of enjoying your Craft Beer in London or anywhere else, is using the right glass for it. While there can be many aesthetically pleasing glassware for use, it is imperative that you use the correct type of glass with your beverage so that it enhances the aroma and the flavour of it. Some glasses offer ample room for the beer to breathe in, while others can help keep your beverage cooler for longer periods of time. Whatever glass you choose, make sure it is of the right type so that you can truly experience what a Craft Beer has to offer in terms of flavour and aroma.

Here are some glasses that you should use when trying out the different types of Craft Beer in London.

• American Pint Glasses – This glass is made wider at the mouth than the bottom and holds 16 ounces, and is fine for any type of beer. It is the universal beer glass which can be used with anything and everything. It is a rather low-cost piece of glassware and easy to clean and store, hence it is used in many pubs and bars around the world.

• Imperial Pint Glasses – In close relationship to its American cousin, the Imperial pint glass can hold 20 ounces of delicious beer and is also ideal for any type. The only other difference is that it is made with a small lip at the mouth. This imperial pint is very popularly used for Craft Beer in London and other parts of the UK.

• Pilsner Glass – As its name suggests this is ideal for pilsners, adjunct lagers, bock, Vienna lager, blonde ale, Japanese rice lager and other lighter beers, and is very slim and tall in shape with the mouth being wider than the bottom. It typically holds between 12-14 ounces of liquid, and retains the beer’s complex aromas giving you an explosion of it just under your nose.

• Tulip Glass – These are also popularly known as Belgian Glasses. Its bulb-like body is made to capture the exotic aromas of Belgian ales and other malty beers, and the stem enables one to swirl the beverage to enhance its aromatic sensory experience. Ideal for Belgian strong ale and dark ale, Belgian IPA, Imperial IPA, Saison, Scotch Ale and other similar types.

• Thistle Glass – Shaped similar to Scotland’s national flower, the Thistle, this glass is shaped with a stem, a bulb-like bottom and elongated top. Ideal beer styles to be used with this are Scotch Ale and Wee Heavy.

• Goblet or Chalice – Best used for heavy, dark beers like Belgian IPA and Belgian Strong Ale, this comes in the form of a large bowl with a thick stem. The wide mouth is ideal for large hearty sips of your favourite beverage.

• IPA Glass – As the name suggests these are used for all types of IPA’s, since the shape of the glass, with the ridged bottom that aerates the IPA, releasing interesting aromatics and the tapered bowl which directs those aromatics up to your nose, and lets you appreciate the hoppy-ness of your IPA just a little bit more.

• Stout Glass – The best glass for all types of stouts, this is able to accentuate the aromatics associated with stout such as the roasted malts, coffee and chocolate. The shape also helps with retaining the headiness of the drink, for greater appreciation of your Craft Beer.

• Stange Glass – Derived from the German word for pole, it is similar to its name and is shaped in a cylindrical form. This glass is able to concentrate the mild aromas of hops and malt and preserve carbonation. Ideal for delicate beverages such as Rye Beer, Altbier, Rauchbier, Kölsch and other similar types.

• Teku Stemmed Glass – This is ideal for beers such as lambics and other sours as it has the distinct ability to accentuate aromas and flavours. The long stem prevents the transfer of warmth from your hands to your beer, and is the ideal glass for a sensory experience of Craft Beer.

• Beer Mugs – These mugs come in many different shapes and forms, but with one dominating feature which is the handle on the side. This helps prevent the heat from your hands from transferring onto the beer, and is ideal for many types of German, American, British and Irish beers.

Craft Beer in London has become popular because of its unique flavours, textures and aromas, and thus it should be enjoyed in a way that enhances these qualities. For a true craft experience you should always use a glass that is suitable for the type of beer being consumed. These beverages are manufactured with a lot of love and passion by small independent brewers, and those who drink it should drink it in a similar manner, with a lot of love and passion!