Beer glass types: choosing glasses for each beer style
Pint, tankard, Weizen, Pilsner, tulip, goblet and Teku beer glasses: typical capacities, style pairings and practical draught service and washing tips.
In short
Match the glass to the beer: pint glasses or tankards for lagers and session beers; tall, flared Weizen glasses for wheat beers; tall, narrow Pilsner glasses for pils; tulips or goblets for Belgian and aromatic beers; and Teku glasses or snifters for tasting. A pub can start with a pint glass, a Weizen and a tasting goblet. A restaurant may need only one versatile beer glass.
The right glass controls how much head forms and how long it lasts, how quickly the beer warms and how aromas develop. The wrong glass, or one that is poorly washed, can spoil even an excellent draught beer.
Main beer glass types
| Glass | Shape | Beer styles | Typical capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pint (nonic or shaker) | Straight, slightly flared, sometimes with a bulge | Lager, ale, stout, session beers | 0,4–0,57 l |
| Tankard | Cylindrical, thick glass, with a handle | German lager and Helles, larger serves | 0,3–1 l |
| Weizen | Tall, narrow at the base, flared at the top | Wheat beers (Weiss, Hefeweizen) | 0,3–0,5 l |
| Pilsner | Tall, narrow, conical | Pils and bright, lively lagers | 0,2–0,4 l |
| Tulip | Wide bowl, narrowing then flaring at the rim | Strong Belgian beers, IPA, aromatic beers | 0,3–0,5 l |
| Goblet | Generous stemmed bowl, sometimes with a thick rim | Trappist, abbey and Belgian beers | 0,33–0,5 l |
| Teku | Stemmed glass with an angular bowl | Tasting, craft beers | 0,33–0,42 l |
| Snifter | Balloon bowl with a narrow rim | Barley wine, imperial stout, strong sipping beers | 0,2–0,4 l |
| Stange | Narrow, short cylinder | Kölsch and light beers | 0,2 l |
How many different glasses do you need?
Restaurant or pizzeria: one or two glasses are enough. Use a pint glass or tankard for draught beer, and a goblet or Teku for bottled craft beer. More variety is useful when beer is an important part of the menu.
Pub or beer bar: follow the taps. Choose a shape for each draught style, such as pint glasses for lagers, Weizen glasses for wheat beers and tulips for Belgian beers, plus a tasting goblet for bottled beers.
Craft beer venue: use a Teku or tulip as the standard glass. Add dedicated shapes only for styles that really need them.
Brewery-branded glasses
Many breweries supply branded glasses with their draught beer. This is convenient, but ties the glassware to the supplier: changing a tap means changing glasses too. Keeping your own unbranded set gives you flexibility.
Keeping glasses beer-clean
Beer glasses need to be free from grease, detergent and rinse-aid residues. Even invisible traces can collapse the head and leave bubbles clinging to the sides.
- Wash beer glasses separately from glasses used for milk, creamy cocktails or fatty drinks.
- Use specialist glass detergents and dose rinse aid carefully.
- Air-dry upside down on a rack. Avoid cloths that leave lint.
- Rinse with cold water before pouring to cool the glass, remove dust and help the head form.
A simple check: after a few sips, the foam should leave regular rings down the glass. If it slides away without a trace, the glass is not clean.
What to check when buying
- Toughened glass for intensive service: it handles knocks in the glasswasher better.
- Nonic bulges on pint glasses for easier stacking and rim protection.
- Fill lines when serving a declared measure.
- Rack space: Weizen glasses and tankards take up plenty. Measure before ordering.
For the rest of your bar setup, see the bar equipment checklist.
Find the products
The items mentioned in this guide, in the Misee catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Why does beer lose its head in the glass?
The glass is usually not completely clean. Grease, detergent or rinse-aid residues break down the foam. Rinse with cold water before pouring and use detergents designed for beer glasses.
Which glass is used for Weiss beer?
A Weizen glass: tall, narrow at the base and flared at the top, usually holding half a litre. Its shape accommodates the generous head typical of wheat beers.
What is a Teku glass?
A stemmed glass with an angular bowl, designed in Italy for tasting craft beer. It concentrates aromas and suits almost every style, making it popular in craft beer venues.
What capacity should draught beer glasses have?
In Italy, common serves are 0,2 litres (small), 0,3 and 0,4 litres (medium), and 0,5 litres. Use glasses with fill lines when serving a declared measure.
Need advice on your supplies?
Our customer service helps you choose sizes, quantities and materials for your venue.