What’s the difference between pints, steins, goblets and imperial pints?
You’re out at the bar with your beer-drinking friends. It’s a new place you’ve never been, and you have a feeling they won’t have your favorite recipe for a strawberry mojito sitting back there. You want to impress your friends, but you don’t know anything about beer. You aren’t even 100% sure how to spell the word “beer.”
Suddenly the bartender walks up. Beads of sweat form on your forehead. You can predict the words before they come out of the bartender’s mouth:
“What’ll it be?”
The bar falls silent. Everybody turns to look at you. Your friends glare, suddenly suspecting that you have no idea what you’re doing. The words barely escape your mouth:
“One beer, please.” You are polite.
Suddenly, a twist. The bartender replies, “pint or chalice?” Pint or chalice? PINT OR CHALICE?! Are those types of beer? Is the bartender making things up to test you?! Fortunately, you’ve read this post so you know exactly how to answer.
Understanding Different Pours
You already know that there are different types of beers, but not all beers are equal. Often times, beers that have a higher ABV or are more expensive to make will come in chalice pours while others come in a pint glass. Then, of course, there are steins, tulips, and more.
Let’s start with the basics.
In the United States, a pint is a 16-ounce pour of beer. This is four ounces more than you would get from most bottles (typically 12 ounces), and it’s pretty much the universal go-to size for a beer at a bar.
An imperial pint, on the other hand, is a 20-ounce pour. If you order a pint in the UK, you’re likely to get a 20-ounce pour before 16. Also, some bars will offer an imperial pint on some beers – so you can expect it to be more than a normal pour.
Then we can break it down into other sizes. A half pint is (you guessed it, 8-ounce pour.)
With these nromal glasses, expect to be drinking types of ales and some stouts.
Chalices, Goblets, Tulips and Confusion
Depending on where you go, someone may pour your beer in an awkward looking glass that looks like it should be holding red wine at your local church.
These glasses, depending on their shape, are probably chalices, goblets or tulips. There are generally designed to hold 12-14 ounces of liquid, but generally aren’t filled to the brim. You’ll be looking at something closer to 8-12 ounces of beer. While you won’t be getting as much as you would in a pint, these beers tend to be a little on the nicer side than your Bud Light.
While you won’t be getting as much as you would in a pint, these beers tend to be a little on the nicer side than your Bud Light.
Why use a different glass and not just mark “12 ounces” on a normal pint? Well, depending on the type of beer you order, a certain glass will bring out a larger aroma, help the bubbles come to the top faster or slower, create a larger head of foam on top and more.
As far as beers go, you’ll be drinking saisons, barley wines and the like out of a tulip.
Steins
Everyone knows what a stein is. That is, unless you don’t know.
Just imagine a stein as a beer mug with a handle. There are plenty of types of steins, but the most common ones in pop culture are those that are found at Oktoberfest.
Steins can hold anywhere from 16-32 ounces. If you get a full Oktoberfest-size stein of beer, you’ll be looking at nearly 34 ounces of beer.
Why is it important to know the difference between glasses? Well, different glass sizes will tell you a lot about the beer you’re drinking. First off, you’ll know how much beer you’re drinking, so you’ll be able to gauge your night/afternoon/morning. Second off, you’ll get a better idea
First off, you’ll know how much beer you’re drinking, so you’ll be able to gauge your night/afternoon/morning. Second off, you’ll get a better idea
Second off, you’ll get a better idea of the quality and style of your beer. Nobody is going to pour PBR into a chalice, and you won’t be drinking a Belgian tripel out of an Oktoberfest stein.
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