Your Beer Glass Plays A More Important Role Than You Think

The short, wide, sturdy beer mug boasts a grenade-like pattern and a handle that keeps the drinker’s hand from warming the beer. However, it doesn’t boost the brew’s taste.

The easy-to-store-and-clean "nonic" pint glass has a bulge about two inches below its mouth. The bulge protects the rim of the glass from being chipped or nicked.

Goblets and chalices are best for dark beers and strong ales. Their wide mouths allow for big gulps and direct the beer to the taste buds that detect bitterness.

Snifters and tulips resemble the goblet family, but they narrow at the top to lock in the beer's aroma and allow for swirling, which refreshes the beer's scent.

The thin, cylindrical shape of these glasses preserves the carbonation in delicate beers like Kolsch. Some of them are made short to keep the ale cool and fizzy.