We don’t think we’re surprising anyone when we say that we’re a nation of beer drinkers. The pub was and still is the cornerstone of many communities, and if you’re a lover of the golden nectar, you’ll be pleased to know that served in the right glass, it can taste even better. So, if you’d like your beverages to taste as good at home as they do when you’re out, then picking up the right glass will do the trick.
This buying guide will walk you through the ins and outs of how to choose the best one. When paired right, a glass will complement the beer and maximise the flavours. From tulip glasses with stems to enhance the aromatics to German-style tankards with handles, there's a perfect type of glass for every beer. We've also scoured the internet for the best beer glasses found in UK retailers such as John Lewis and Amazon for a list of our 10 favourites.
Quick List - Top Beer Glasses
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There are many things to consider when finding the right beer glass, such as your preferred tipple, the style and shape of the glass, the width of the rim and the materials. Our buying guide will discuss each of these points, advising why you might choose one over the other.
First up, you’ll want to identify the style of glass that works best for your preferred drink, so we’ve rounded up some of the main glass shapes for an in-depth look. That said, it’s important to mention - this isn’t a complete list - these are just the ones we think our nation of beer drinkers will appreciate the most!
The best place to start is, without a doubt, the most well-known option out there - the pint glass. These have a capacity of around 568 ml and tend to have a dimpled ridge near the head of the glass, helping drinkers grip. Not only that, but this buffer also helps maintain the temperature of a cool beer by keeping your hands away from the liquid.
This is one of the most versatile glasses you can get, providing a very good drink out of a wide range of beers such as ales, lagers, IPA’s and pilsners. They might not be the fanciest or most decorative, but they’re a solid option if you like to enjoy an array of different brews.
The tulip (or thistle) glass tends to have a short stem at the bottom. From there, the glass curves out, then slightly in before tapering out towards the top. This shape makes it easy to swirl the liquid, which enhances the flavour and aroma of the beer. The tapered-out lip will also encourage a large head.
Generally, these glasses are associated with continental lagers and stronger, aromatic beers, for example, double IPA’s and Belgian ales. Scottish ales are also commonly served in this shape, typically because Scotland’s official flower is the thistle.
Pilsner glasses are generally taller, slimmer and cone-shaped. Although they’re designed for pilsner beers, they tend to work well with a range of lighter beers, such as blonde ales and lagers. The slim frame of the design enhances the bubbles, and the narrow bottom means they rise to the top, keeping the beer tasting fresh.
Furthermore, the tall design allows you to see the clarity and sparkle that these beers are notorious for, so they not only test better but look more enticing too. Typically speaking, they hold between 354 to 414 ml, so slightly less than your British pint.
While the name goblet might sound like you’re drinking a butterbeer from The Hog’s Head in Harry Potter, they’re also a favourite in the muggle world. These glasses have large bowls that rest upon a thick, short stem and are often used for heavy, high ABV beers as they have less capacity and a smaller width of the rim, meaning you won’t be throwing it back.
The stem is there, so you don’t warm your drink while holding the glass or reduce the carbonation, as the cups typically have thin walls. Some of the tipples of choice for a goblet are Belgian dubbles, triples and quadruples, as well as Belgian IPA’s.
Finally, in our list of styles, we have the mugs and tankards. While not quite the same (tankards tend to be a little taller), they share many similarities in design. For example, they’re often both dimpled, can come in either a straight or slightly curved design and always have a handle.
The dimples help a person grip the mug and supposedly measure how much beer is being poured. These glasses are best for drinks like ales, stouts and lagers and are typically rather sturdy and robust, so you don’t have to worry about a cheers followed by a smash!
We touched slightly on this earlier, but you should always consider the width of the rim when buying a beer glass, as the size dictates the speed of drinking. The wider it is, the faster the beer is drunk. The faster your drink, the drunker you’ll become!
Glasses tend to range between 7 – 9 cm, so if you prefer a high ABV, it’s worth considering a smaller rim to enjoy your drink at a steady pace. However, not only does it influence how you drink, a larger diameter provides more air exposure, aerating your beer faster. This means you can enjoy it for longer before it becomes flat. Of course, this is only important if you like carbonated beer.
Finally, consider the material. There are two options with beer glasses – traditional glass or crystal. Traditional glass is typically stronger than crystal, so it can be used daily without fear of it breaking. However, they don't look quite as nice. Glass is often not as clear as crystal and can sometimes contain a tinge of colour.
Crystal, on the other hand, is the opposite. This material is considerably more fragile, which often means it's used sparingly, such as on special occasions. However, crystal generally shines brighter than glass, offering a flamboyance many enjoy. As you might have guessed, chances are you’ll have to pay a bit more for the crystal!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pasabahce Imperial Nonic Pint Glass | ![]() | Practically Everything Tastes Good From One of These | |
2 | Dartington Crystal Simplicity Beer Glasses | ![]() | Feel Like You're Drinking in a Brewery Wherever You Are | |
3 | Guaranteed4less Classic Beer Pint Style Mugs | ![]() | The British Classic | |
4 | LSA International Bar Collection Beer Glasses Box of 4 | ![]() | Handmade With Expert Craftsmanship | |
5 | Pasabahce Draft Beer Goblet | ![]() | Made for Savouring Strong Beers | |
6 | Guiness Harp Glass Set of 2 | ![]() | A Glass Every Drinker Should Pick Up at One Time | |
7 | Spiegelau Classic Tulip Glasses | ![]() | Laser Cut to Precision | |
8 | Drinkstuff 2 Pint Glass Beer Tankards | ![]() | Twice the Size = Twice as Good! | |
9 | LSA International Borough Pilsner Beer Glasses | ![]() | A Contemporary Design on a Classic Shape | |
10 | Borgonovo Pack of 6 Glass Beer Goblets | ![]() | A Unique Long-Stemmed Design |
We'd just like to say sorry to all of you who thought that our number one was going to be something exotic or exciting. But, in our minds, there was only one winner in the race for the best beer glass, and it's the classic British Imperial Nonic Pint. And for one simple reason - practically everything tastes good in one.
Pasabache gives you the option to the glasses singularly or in packs of two and three - as you'd imagine, you save a bit of money when buying more. They're stackable, so they don't take up too much room in the cupboards, they're dishwasher safe and just an all-around pleasure to have at home. That is if you haven't pinched a couple from the pub already!
Darlington Crystal is a company based in the UK that provides elegant, simple designs in crystal and glass. Here, we've got some of their rather fancy tulip-shaped beer glasses, which are made from, as you'd probably guessed, the fancier material.
This six-pack of glasses are perfectly shaped, so it's not just the material that oozes quality, but the whole design will make you feel like your dining at an established brewery, even if you're just in the back garden.
These glasses were originally used in England but have since managed to find themselves worldwide - they're particularly popular in America because of their hardiness. While there are many options of these on the net, we opted for these bad boys as they offer excellent value for money.
They're made of generic glass, with thick handles and the classic dimpled outer pattern. These, as with many other mug style glasses, are at the top-end of average when it comes to rim width, often measuring around 9 cm.
Here, we have another collection from LSA International, this time, it's their take on the pilsner style glass. Each one is handcrafted in Poland with a chunky base that aims to steady the glass. The design is also long and slim, as all good pilsner glasses are.
That said, they do have a particular curvature that many others of this type often don't have. While they might be a little expensive, you do get a pack of four, and considering they're handmade with expert craftsmanship, it's not unexpected that you pay a little more than average.
Earlier (ranking at number 10), we saw a unique take on the goblet-style glass - here, we have a more classic shape. As you can see, the stem is far shorter, while the bulbous bowl and smaller rim indicate that these glasses were made for savouring strong beers.
Surprisingly, these glasses are also freezer-safe, meaning they are perfect if you prefer your beers extra cold. Pop the glasses in the freezer for a bit to create a nice icy sheen, then pour away and enjoy your super chilled beverage.
We're sure that many people reading this will have seen these glasses before. They're a staple up and down the country, and for a good reason - they're an excellent glass for a variety of different beers. Plus, you get the traditional harp design on the front, which is almost a rite of passage for serious beer drinkers.
This two-pack comes in the classic British pint size of 568 ml and are well-known to be sturdy and robust. They might not be the most exciting of options, but they're a glass that every beer drinker should pick up at some point!
If you were to imagine a tulip-shaped beer glass, chances are you'd conjure up an image very close to this set from Spiegelau. The glasses are thin and laser-cut to precision, ensuring you have the best experience possible as the liquid glides from the glass to your lips.
Not only are the glasses great, but they're also presented in a stylish photo gift box, making them an excellent gift for a beer lover. Again, being made from crystal makes them a little delicate, but if you can be careful, you're onto a winner.
The stein is often associated with Germany and their festival Oktoberfest, although it doesn't necessarily have to be saved for that time of the year. They're essentially the same as the classic mug with a large, dimpled surface and handle. The selling point, however, is that they're twice the size!
As you'd expect, it's not just the height, but the rim width is double the size too, coming in at 14 cm. The downside is that they can be quite dangerous, often leading to ghastly hangovers as you feel encouraged to drink more than you would normally. We also wouldn't advise serving any high ABV in there.
These pilsner-style glasses have a gentle design, with round bowls at the bottom, giving them a more contemporary feel than the regular, angular options. They have a short stem, which is an unorthodox take on the pilsner glass, but somehow, seems to offer a more refined drinking experience.
All the glasses are 400 ml, which is around the capacity one would expect from this particular shape. It's worth remembering that they're made of crystal rather than traditional glass, so are prone to chipping if you're not careful.
This set of six glasses from Borgonovo is ideal for those who are really looking to enjoy their beer. The distinct shape enhances the aromas so that you get the full scale of flavour from multiple senses. Plus, the small rim width ensures that you don't glug it down too fast.
However, the stem is particularly long, which is unusual for this style of glass. Whether you'd prefer that or not is a personal preference, but it does mean that if there are any wine drinkers in the house, they may end up getting their hands on it from time to time!
Whether you fancy a drop of wine while hosting dinner parties or you just want to be able to offer your best mate a whisky in a decent glass, having the right container for your tipple really does up your game. Check out a few more of our glass-related articles below to ensure you're serving your guests the best!
No. 1: Pasabahce|Imperial Nonic Pint Glass
No. 2: Dartington Crystal|Simplicity Beer Glasses
No. 3: Guaranteed4less|Classic Beer Pint Style Mugs
No. 4: LSA International|Bar Collection Beer Glasses Box of 4
No. 5: Pasabahce|Draft Beer Goblet
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