Tag: Weizenbock

The Beer Flute or Flute Glasses

The beer flute is one of those glasses that kind of exists in between other styles. We’ll also use the word “flute” or “fluted” to describe certain categories of other glass.

By design these glasses are tall, very narrow, stemmed and hold smaller volumes of beer.  Some are cone shaped, some are tulip shaped, some are just straight edged like a stange.

With their tall and delicate stature you can’t help but turn up your nose a bit while drinking from them.

Benefits of a Beer Flute or Fluted Glass

In a lot of ways the flute matches the stange in both form and function.  Like the stange, the tall narrow body helps showcase the beer’s sparkling carbonation.  It’s narrow mouth also helps with head retention and concentrating volatiles right upfront and into your nose.

This is similar in many ways to what’s going on with the narrower versions of the pilsner glass as well.  What we dubbed the “European Pilsner” can also be called a “fluted pilsner” first, because it looks like a flute, but also because it shares some of these benefits.

What Beer Goes in a Beer Flute?

Generally speaking a beer flute will work for any light colored, crisp beer with lots of bright, sparkling carbonation.  If the bottle has a cork that might serve as a clue.

For specific styles, I really only reach for a flute glass when I’m drinking a lambic. Outside of that I’m typically happier using a pilsner glass, stange or chalice.

Where Can I get a Flute Glass?

For unbranded glassware you’re best bet is just to pickup some champagne glasses.  These are easily available at most Target, Walmart and Home Goods locations.  For fancier flutes you’ll want to look for lambic glasses or “fruit beer” glasses.

If your local beer bar serves lambics just ask if they turn their glasses over regularly.  These glasses are often decorated with a gold rim and brewery artwork that can wear down over time.  Restaurants and bars will sometimes throw faded glasses out or offer them up to regular customers as they replace them.  Amazon also has Lindeman’s lambic glasses for $15- $20 each.

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.