Like the tulip glass, the pilsner glass comes in a variety of different shapes. A basic pilsner glass typically has a narrow base with sides that flare outward. Some versions of this glass look like an elongated tulip pint. Others are more cone shaped. Some are also very similar to a wheat beer glass.
A stemmed version of the pilsner glass is also known as a European pilsner. European pilsner glasses typically have a short stubby stem which blends seamlessly with the glasses tapered walls. They can resemble stretched out versions of tulip pints, willi bechers or fluted glasses.
You may also see taller stemmed pokal glasses referred to as pilsner or lager glasses. I’ve included several pictures below for comparison.
Pilsner glasses can be 12 to 16 ounces depending on the style. Bigger glasses exist but tend to overlap into the Wheat Beer Glass category.
Benefits of The Pilsner Glass
With it’s tall narrow body the pilsner glass behaves a lot like the stange. It’s shape showcases a beer’s clarity while it’s top narrows the surface area helping with head retention. Because pilsners are crisp and bright beers this helps with delivering some of the beer’s more delicate aromas.
What Beer Goes in a Pilsner Glass?
As the name implies, this glass is ideal for beers of the pilsner style. This includes most pale lagers.
Because the glass is so similar to the stange and fluted glassware it can also be used for for kölsch-style beers or even lambics. I also sometimes use my pilsner glasses for 12 ounce bottles of wheat beer.
The basic idea is that you’re looking for beers that share characteristics with the pilsner style. That includes beers with clear pale colored bodies, medium to sparkling bright carbonation, and a crisp bubbly head.
Where can I get Pilsner Glasses?
Libbey has a four-pack of “Classic Pilsner” glasses for around $14 on Amazon. They’re 15 ounce glasses making them a bit big for your standard bottle of beer but they’re high quality glasses. The same glass is also available in the Libbey Craft Brew Sampler Glass Set we’ve already reviewed.
Libbey also offers what they call a “Midtown” Pilsner in the same price range. These glasses are more like a narrow version of a wheat beer glass.
The quintessential pilsner is probably Pilsner Urquell. They offer a couple different types of branded glassware including a stemmed pokal glass and a tulip-flute style pilsner glass. Both of these also make great additions to your beer glass collection.
