Tea may be a national obsession, but when we’re at the pub, we’re happy to swap our usual cuppa for something a bit hoppier.
According to global data and business intelligence platform Statista, we down 68 litres of beer per capita on average, with IPA the most popular order, followed by Carling lager and Doom Bar.
That’s not including our thirst for foreign imports, whether they’re from the Continent or bottles from further afield, like India’s Cobra, Japan’s Asahi, and Thailand’s Singha and Chang. Then there’s also craft beers and the emerging low and no categories too. All this to say: it’s a very beery world out there.
While some are happy to swig straight from the bottle or can, using a glass not only offers a sense of decorum, but can actually enhance the taste of your serve too.
Hugo Tapp, the co-founder of low-ABV beer brand LOAH, gives us the skinny on beer glasses.
What shape is the perfect beer glass?
I like a 12oz (or 2/3 of a pint) glass in the straight-edged Spanish cider glass. They’re nice to hold, they’re versatile, they look good, and they give the beer a decent surface area to show its aroma. For me, the best way to drink beer is in smaller quantities, as [full] pints tend to get a bit warm towards the bottom.
It also means you can try lots of things without being stuck on the same thing for a whole pint.
Which glasses are suited to which types of beers?
I would say it depends on what you want to get out of it. If you want to smell the entire bouquet of aromas, get a tulip. If you want to see the clarity or colour then get a long tall Peroni-style glass. If you want to aggressively cheers with your mates, best to get a stein.
Why does shape matter to the taste of beer?
Mainly due to aroma. If you have a glass that pinches in at the top (like a wine glass) then the aromas will concentrate there and you’ll start to taste the beer before you’ve tipped it into your mouth. But also to make you feel good; if the glass you’re holding makes you feel awkward you’re not going to like your beer much.
If you’re willing to invest in a set of beer glasses, we’ve rounded up the best options to add to basket now.
From rounded cups to bring out the best of your fruity Belgian hops to tall, elegant designs that enhance the flavour and experience of a Pilsner, here are the best beer glasses to shop now.
See the edit below
Best celebrity alcohol brands to try in 2023: tipples from Kylie, Jay Z, Kendall Jenner and more
Best low and no alcohol beers of 2023 taste tested
Best alcohol deals from supermarkets and online shops
Best glasses for cocktails, wine and other drinks according to the experts
Best sipping tequila to try in 2023: Anejo, blanco and reposado taste tested
Best gifts for him 2023: Present inspo for men who have everything
Best at home draught beer dispensers for the perfect home pour
Best UK beer subscriptions for pints you won’t find in the pub
Best Champagne vintages: The finest years for a glass of bubbly
Dartington Crystal Entertain Beer Glass
These beer glasses are made from lead-free crystal glass, so you can enjoy the colour of your pint when you’re not sipping it. This doesn’t hold a full pint; instead, it offers 380ml worth of volume - which means your drink will stay cooler for longer. A nice option for Czech beer.
Buy now £30.00, John Lewis
Camden Town Official Brewery Jacks 1/2 Pint Glass
From the small batch brewer of North London comes this set of two beer glasses, designed to enjoy its booze in. Named after its creator and made from toughened blown glass, the stout design fills up to a half-pint measure. Hand wash only.
Buy now £15.49, Amazon
IITTALA Ultima Thule beer glasses set of two
Your beer will always look frosty in Littalia’s semi-sheer textured glasses which have feet that look like dripping ice. Sold as a set of two, the dramatic glasses will elevate any home bar or home drinking experience.
Buy now £60.00, Selfridges
LSA Mia set of two beer glasses
Add some flair to your glass cupboard with LSA’s shapely glasses, mouthblown from recycled glass. Each design holds more than a pint with 750ml to make use of. Stylish and eco-friendly; what’s not to love?
Buy now £32.00, Selfridges
English Pewter Company Personalised Pewter Tankard
Beer fans will adore a personalised tankard as a present. From the English Pewter Company, this handled vessel can bear a message of your choice over four lines across the side. It holds a full pint and should be washed with soapy water to help it keep its shine.
Buy now £61.00, John Lewis
Soho House Cabana Beer Glass, Set of Four
If you’re a poolside regular at Shoreditch House, you may have spied these glasses in the clutches of thirsty members on a sweltering day. Made from Tritan, a super-robust type of acrylic, these plastic pint glasses are perfect for outdoor events where you want to enjoy a session without fear of breakage.
Buy now £60.00, Soho Home
Dartington Crystal Three Cheers for Beers
From premium crystalware brand Dartington comes this trio, ready to be filled with all kinds of beer. The three-set includes a lager glass, one for dark and strong varieties and a vessel to best enjoy the flavours and aromas of ale too. Personalisation on the glass is also available.
Buy now £14.00, Dartington Crystal
Wrenbury Set of 2 Fjord Belgian Stemmed Beer Glasses
Aside from waffles and chocolate, Belgians know how to make a cracking pint. Bring out the best of its characteristically fruity flavours with Wrenbury’s stemmed glasses. Featuring a wide, rounded bottom, there’s plenty of space for the ingredients to mingle, while the narrower top bubbles the tasty notes to your nose, prepping you for the deliciousness that’s about to come.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Thumbs Up Original Stormtrooper Helmet Beer Glass
This novelty glass will tickle the Star Wars fan whose first choice of movie drink is a nice cold one. Holding a full pint, it’s made from soda lime and silica glass and comes with a handle for easy lifting.
Buy now £25.49, Amazon
Sieger by Furstenberg by Furstenberg Of Kings and Queens Beer Mug
Available in small and large sizes, these luxe porcelain beer mugs are inspired by the old tradition that brewing beer used to be something that had to be conferred by royalty. The design means you won’t be able to see the beer, but with opulence like this - who needs to?
Buy now £149.00, Amara
Beavertown glassware
We'd usually steer clear of branded glassware, but with designs like these, we're willing to make an exception.
Beavertown’s bright and beautiful range spans tumblers and pint glasses for the brewery's various beers like Gamma Ray and Neck Oil and there are fun options for occasions like Halloween and Christmas too. For gifting, a bundle of the bestsellers is the failsafe option - especially if you pair it with a few cans.
Buy now £18.00, Beavertown
