In today’s ever-expanding world of craft beer, cocktails, and spirits, it’s tough to keep up with all of the different styles, let alone which glass goes with each. And that’s why you’re here. While some might say a “glass is a glass,” this is simply untrue.
Every piece of glassware on this page is designed and constructed to enhance the drinking experience. Take a look below at some of the most common bar glasses for craft beer, cocktails, and spirits. And of course, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us!
Learn more about Beer Glassware and Cocktail & Spirit Glassware.
Beer Glassware
Pint Glass (AKA “Mixing Glass”)
Details: The 16-ounce Pint Glass is what you’ll find in most bars and restaurants across the United States.
Appropriate Beer Styles: You’ll see people using a mixing glass for most styles of beer and often cider, but the glasses you’ll learn about below are much better for enjoying the full flavors and aromas of your favorite brews.
You’ll see people using a mixing glass for most styles of beer and often cider, but the glasses you’ll learn about below are much better for enjoying the full flavors and aromas of your favorite brews.
British Style Imperial Pint Glass (AKA “Nonic” or “Tumbler”)
Details: The Imperial Pint Glass is most similar to the US-style Pint Glass, but it holds 20 ounces with a bulging ridge toward the top of the glass.
Appropriate Beer Styles: British-Style Bitter, Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Double/Imperial IPA, Amber/Red Ale, Brown Ale, Altbier, Porter, Milk Stout, Oatmeal Stout, Marzen/Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Ale, Rye Beer, Saison, Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy, Smoked Beer.
Pilsner Glass
Details: Tall, slim, and tapered in a way that often resembles a trumpet, the Pilsner Glass captures the sparkling colors, clarity, and carbonation of pilsners, while retaining the head and enhancing volatiles.
Appropriate Beer Styles: Blonde Ale, Hefeweizen, Pilsner, California Common/Steam Beer, Japanese Rice Lager, Witbier.
Tulip Glass
Details: With a tulip-shape design and a slight flare, the Tulip Glass ensures optimal aroma and flavor from your brews. Also known as a Belgian glass, the wide bowl and tapered mouth naturally funnels the enticing aromas to your nose, so you’re left with a full sensory experience.
Appropriate Beer Styles: Belgian Strong Ale, Barleywine, Double/Imperial IPA, Belgian IPA, Belgian Pale Ale, Bière de Garde, Flanders Red Ale, Gueuze, Fruit Lambic, Saison, Scotch Ale.
Goblet Glass (AKA Chalice Glass)
Details: Specially designed to maintain head, with a wide mouth for deep sips, the Goblet Glass also has a large round bowl at the top of the stem that allows for heat transfer from the hand to gently warm the beer.
Appropriate Beer Styles: Belgian IPA, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Berliner Weissbier, Dubbel, Tripel, Quad.
IPA Glass
Details: Designed with wave-like ridges, the unique bottom on the IPA Glass works to bring out the beer’s flavor by creating more foam and pushing the hop aromatics up the glass.
Appropriate Beer Styles: Any and all varieties of IPAs.
Stout Glass
Details: The distinctive shape of the Stout Glass helps accentuate the roasted malts and rich notes of coffee and chocolate that are prevalent in a lot of stouts.
Appropriate Beer Styles: Any and all varieties of stouts.
Weizen Glass
Details: The Weizen Glass features thin walls and a lot of length to showcase the color of wheat beers, lock in aromas, and allow for proper headspace.
Appropriate Beer Styles: Wheat Ale, Dunkelweizen, Hefeweizen, Kristalweizen, Weizenbock.
Thistle Glass
Details: A modified version of the Tulip, the shape of a Thistle Glass resembles Scotland’s national flower (the thistle), characterized by a short stem, bulbous bottom, and burgeoning top section that’s noticeably more sharp and angular than that of the tulip.
Appropriate Beer Styles: Scotch Ale, Wee Heavy.
Stange Glass
Details: The Stange Glass features a tall, narrow design, and is often referred to as the “champagne flute of the beer world” on account of its lightweight, thin construction that combines crystalline elegance with a thick-bottomed base for reliable sturdiness.
Appropriate Beer Styles: Kölsch, Bocks, Lambics, Czech Pilsners, Rye Beer, Altbier, Rauchbier.
Treat your brew right and it will do the same for you.
Cocktail & Spirit Glassware
Rocks Glass
Details: Commonly referred to as a “Lowball” or “Old Fashioned Glass,” the Rocks Glass is short, stout, and a staple at any home or commercial bar.
Used For: Liquor - most often, whiskey - or cocktails with a high proportion of alcohol to mixer, like Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and other whiskey drinks.
Highball Glass
Details: Similar to a Collins Glass, though slightly shorter, the Highball Glass has straight sides that make it both elegant and versatile.
Used For: A variety of cocktails served “on the rocks” (over ice), like a Screwdriver or Long Island Iced Tea, as well as mixed drinks like the Gin and Tonic.
Hurricane Glass
Details: Named after the popular New Orleans’ cocktail, the Hurricane Glass is tall and shapely with a short stem and distinct, pear-shaped curves.
Used For: Hurricanes, Bellinis, Daiquiris, and other tropical, frozen cocktails.
Martini Glass
Details: Sometimes referred to as a “Cocktail Glass,” the Martini Glass is ultra-swanky, sleek, and classy, designed with a long stem and a V-shaped bowl.
Used For: Martinis, Margaritas, or any cocktail served “straight up” (chilled, but served without ice).
Absinthe Glass
Details: Crafted with a unique shape and design, the Absinthe Glass is designed to enhance the delicate flavors and aromas of absinthe and absinthe cocktails.
Used For: Absinthe and absinthe-based cocktails.
Margarita Glass
Details: Designed with a stem that leads to a medium-sized bowl, then up to a larger bowl with a broad-rim for holding salt, the Margarita Glass is also sometimes referred to as a “Cocktail Glass.”
Used For: Margaritas, fruity drinks, and blended daiquiris.
Coupe Glass
Details: Fashioned uniquely after the drinkware used during Prohibition, the Coupe Glass features a wide bowl with a long stem for stunning visual cocktail presentation.
Used For: Champagne, Daiquiris, Manhattans, French 75s.
Cordial Glass
Details: Small and stemmed, the Cordial Glass typically holds anywhere from 2-3 ounces for more modest proportions.
Used For: Apéritifs, Digestifs, Liqueurs, and Desserts.
Collins Glass
Details: Similar to a Highball Glass with its long, slim design, but slightly taller, the Collins Glass is perfect for sipping iced cocktails anytime of the year.
Used For: Collins gin drinks, alcoholic juice, tropical drinks like the Mai Tai, and soft drinks.
Mule Mug
Details: Handcrafted from copper, the iconic Mule Mug was created for the drink that introduced vodka to America in the 1940s: the Mule.
Used For: Mule. Also, try an Apple Cider Mule or Strawberry Mule.
Mint Julep Cup
Details: Designed to enjoy the classic drink of the Kentucky Derby, the Mint Julep Cup is made of copper with a design that slims from top to bottom.
Used For: Classic Mint Julep. Also try a Watermelon Julep, Mezcal Julep or Peach Julep.
Grappa Glass
Details: Designed with a unique bulb shape between the stem and the bowl, the Grappa Glass is made to maximize the tasting pleasure of Grappa, a traditional spirit of Italy and by-product of the winemaking process, made from pomace, discarded grape seeds, stalks, and stems.
Used For: Grappa, an Italian liquor.
Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Glass
Details: Sized and shaped with a flared ring to bring out the finest qualities in your scotch whiskeys, the Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Glass enhances complex, multi-layered aromas.
Used For: Scotch and Whiskey.
Don’t sip your spirits in glassware that’s not designed for the job.
SHOP ALL COCKTAIL GLASSES
KegWorks
KegWorks has been selling cool tools for drinking and serving knowledge on tap since 1998. We are all about enjoying good drinks with good friends.
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