The Weizen Glass (AKA Wheat Beer Glass or Weizenbier Glass)

A Weizen Glass
Typical Weizen Glass

The Weizen Glass (or Wheat Beer Glass or Weizenbier Glass) is a tall glass with a narrow base and walls that flare out slightly.  Some versions of these glasses appear to be larger versions of the pilsner while others bulb outward and then taper back in.  This is the kind of “tulip bulb” look that’s almost similar to a Guinness Pint.

Another common feature presents as a type of twisting pattern along the outside of the body.  This  makes it look almost like the glass was “wrung out” as it cooled.

These glasses usually hold about a half liter which accommodates the larger volume of most wheat beer bottles.  Smaller versions often turn up for use in bars and breweries to offer a kind of “half-glass” option when pouring from a tap.

Benefits of The Weizenbier Glass

While they can be a bit top heavy and tippy, the weizen glass’ shape is easy to hold and carry.  Usually the narrower portion of the glass is large enough to be held comfortably while the flaring at the glasses foot and upper body allow for more volume.  The texture that many of these glasses have, also aid in holding the the glass similar to how the dimples on a seidel work.

This shape isn’t just about grip, though. It’s narrow middle helps showcase a wheat beer’s familiar color and (usually) unfiltered goodness while the wide mouth helps support the beers thick white fluffy head.

The bulb, and wide mouth, also help to collect and concentrate the beer’s familiar banana-like esters and spicier notes.

What Beer Goes with Weizen Glass?

This really doesn’t pose much of a challenge, this glass is made specifically for wheat beers.  This includes both dark and pale wheat ales and gose beers.

Where can I buy a Weizen Glass /  Wheat Beer Glass?

These glasses are often included in most craft beer glass sets like the Libbey set we’ve already reviewed.  Because of the style’s popularity you’ll also frequently find them in the glassware section of places like Target and Home Goods.

Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale Session Sour

Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale
SeaQuench Ale in a Tulip Glass

The SeaQuench Ale session sour pours cloudy straw yellow with thin bubbles that cling to the side of the glass. Crisp bright bubbles form a very thin head which dissipates quickly.

I’m getting a kind of candied lime aroma – bright and summery but also sweet.  This sour ale is clean bodied with a fresh mouthfeel yet only a hint of carbonation. It’s sweet and tart but with the slightest touch of saltiness and little bit of a yeasty twang.

For reasons outlined below we’re tasting using a tulip, again with a stange, and then again with a chalice.

The tulip glass brings out the beer’s sweetness a bit while the stange brings out more of the tangy sourness.  The head remains slightly longer in the stange but still ends falling to just a rim of medium sized bubbles.

In the chalice… wow… the sea salt is much more prevalent.  I didn’t really taste it in the other glasses but here its a much bigger part of the flavor profile.  A little crisp, very refreshing.  This would definitely be a great beer at a backyard fish fry or clam bake.

Dogfish Head bills this as a “session sour” I can definitely see this being the case if you’re out on the beach.  Sitting inside on a warm spring day one or two of these is likely my limit.

Other Specs:

  • ABV: 4%
  • IBUs: 10
  • Release: April – December
  • A “Born on Date” is located in the bottom corner of the label.

Why That Glass?

In their promo for this beer (below) Dogfish head calls this a hybrid beer consisting of three styles brewed in sequence: kolsch, gose, and berlinerweisse.  In recognition of their creativity we’re tasting from three glasses.  A tulip glass (common for a sour), a stange (common for a kolsch & gose) and a chalice (common for a berliner weisse.)

On the beer’s spec-site they mention a pint glass but in all honesty I think a chalice is the way to go, especially if you have one that features any kind of etching for nucleation.

More About the SeaQuench Ale Session Sour

SeaQuench Ale Session Sour is brewed by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery LLC. While the beer is listed as a Session Sour Dogfish Head refers to it as being a hybrid beer.  You can see their “Quick Sip Clip” below.

 

The Beer Stange or Stick Glass

Beer Stange
Beer Stange at Amazon.com

The beer stange is a tall, thin, cylindrical glass that traditionally holds about 6.5 oz (200 mL).  The traditional version of the stange is very similar to a tasting glass or highball glass but without the tapering sides.

Newer versions of the beer stange come in 12- 13 oz sizes to facilitate holding full bottles of beer or for making serving easier.

Because these glasses are tall and narrow they can be difficult to transport from a bar to a table.  As a result, it’s not uncommon in Germany to see waiters carrying beers in a special tray called a kranz.  These serving trays can be branded metal trays with a particular beer or breweries logo or they can be simple wooden trays similar to a tasting paddle.

Kranz Beer Tray
Kranz Tray for holding Stange Glasses

Benefits of a Beer Stange

The tall thin glass is great for head retention in what are usually lower carbonation beers.  This also focuses the beer’s aroma right under your nose helping with enjoyment of the more mild flavors of the beer.  The beer stange’s shape also helps to showcase the clarity of styles like kölsch.

It’s shorter height and narrow body are also kind of practical.  Because the stange is favored for lighter crisper beers you’ll want to drink them quicker – especially on hot summer days.  The small glass, even the narrow tall glass, makes for quick drinking!

What Beer Goes with a Beer Stange?

Traditionally kölsch beers and altbiers favor the stange but any light crisp beer will benefit from it.  This includes Rye Beers and lighter pilsners.

You can also enjoy some darker, cloudier beers from a stange. Gose beers, rauchbier, and Lambics can also be enjoyed in a stange.  If you look at the Lindeman’s Flute Glass you’ll see it that it’s similar in style to both the stange and the straight sided pilsner glass.  Rauchbier is usually drunk from a becher (or willi becher) which is similar to the taller stange though usually a bit wider.

Where can I buy a Beer Stange?

Walking into a local box store or home goods store you won’t find anything listed as a stange.  Instead you should look for highball glass or “Tom Collins” glasses.  If you can only find the larger style of the glass don’t sweat it.  At the end of the day you’re not looking for the rapid fire service a 6.5 oz glass provides.  Expect to find something in the 10- 17oz range instead.  Even if the glass has a slight taper it’s not the end of the world.

KegWorks sells 200ml Stange glasses for about $11 a piece through Amazon.  You can also get 16oz Tom Collins Glasses at four for $15.  I’d also recommend checking the glassware section of your local Walmart or Target.