A well-lit bar counter displays various glasses and types of draft and bottled beers.

GLASS STYLES

Radberger Gruppe International German Beer CultureGlass Styles

A GLASS IS A GLASS
OR IS IT?

Germans take glassware very seriously. There is a specific glass for each type of beer, and for good reason. The shape and size of each glass is designed to do justice to the taste and flavor of each individual brew. To a German, it’s just wrong to drink a Weizen from a Pilsner glass or an Ale from anything other than a chalice (or goblet).

Once the beer has been brewed to perfection, fermented, bottled, chilled, and ready to drink, there comes the moment of truth: What glass to use?
Germans take glassware very seriously. There is a specific glass for each type of beer, and for good reason. The shape and size of each glass is designed to do justice to the taste and flavor of each individual brew. To a German, it’s just wrong to drink a Weizen from a Pilsner glass or an Ale from anything other than a chalice (or goblet).

Here is a primer on which glass suits which beer:

A tall glass of sparkling golden beer stands on a white background, with bubbles visible.
THE FAMOUS PILSNER TULIP

THE FAMOUS PILSNER TULIP

The Tulip Glass is a stemmed glass in the shape of the flower. The bulbous bottom pushes upwards and inwards and then out towards the lip to cup the head of foam. This glass is ideal for beers such as Radeberger Pilsner, because its unique shape enhances volatiles and encourages and props up a large head. Pluck a Tulip too when reaching for a Dortmunder DAB.

A tall glass of sparkling golden beer stands on a white background, with bubbles visible.
A tall glass of beer with foam on top is filled with a golden bubbly liquid.
THE ESTABLISHED PILSNER GLASS

THE ESTABLISHED PILSNER GLASS

This type of glass is tall and skinny with little to no curvature. The Pilsner glass is designed to be used primarily for lighter beers such as Pilsners. The tapered, slender glass captures the sparkling effervescence and colors of a Pilsner while maintaining its head. It’s the perfect choice for a beer like Clausthaler, showcasing the clarity and color of the brew.

A tall glass of beer with foam on top is filled with a golden bubbly liquid.
A tall glass of orange beverage with bubbles and a grapefruit slice on it is depicted.
THE UNIQUE WEIZEN GLASS

THE UNIQUE WEIZEN GLASS

The Weizen Glass, especially designed for wheat beer, features a distinctive tulip shape that enhances aroma and carbonation. With a generous size and a long stem, it keeps your beer cool, and special design elements optimize presentation. Its narrow opening concentrates aroma and stabilizes the foam, ensuring a premium drinking experience. Just the right fit for a beer such as Schöfferhofer Grapefruit.

A tall glass of orange beverage with bubbles and a grapefruit slice on it is depicted.
A full beer mug with a frothy head displays a colorful label featuring a child holding a drink.
THE TRADITIONAL MUG

THE TRADITIONAL MUG

A full beer mug with a frothy head displays a colorful label featuring a child holding a drink.

Probably the glass most commonly associated with beer drinking, the indestructible mug is the sturdy workhorse of German glassware. Mugs have to be this solid so that you can clink them together with vigor. This traditional glassware derives its shape and size from the old stone German Stein. The Stein has a lid, which dates back to the time of the Black Plague: it was put on to prevent flies, which were thought to be deadly, from taking a sip. Allgäuer Büble would be an ideal brew to drink from a traditional German Mug.
A cold beer in a tall glass filled with golden liquid and topped with a thick white foam. Condensation beads on the exterior.
THE STRAIGHTFORWARD STANGE

THE STRAIGHTFORWARD STANGE

A cold beer in a tall glass filled with golden liquid and topped with a thick white foam. Condensation beads on the exterior.

The Stange, derived from the German word for ‘stick’, is a tall, straight, slender cylinder best used for drinking more delicate beers such as Sion Kölsch. The Stange is also relatively small, which helps keep the whole beer tasting fresh. This type of glass amplifies the malt and hops nuances, as the shape allows for a tighter concentration of the volatiles emerging through the foam.

Regions

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Beer Styles

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Brewmaster Insights

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Facts & Rituals

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A close-up of two beer glasses filled with golden beer, foam at the top, in front of a blurry accordion.