What Makes a Good Beer Mug?

What Makes a Good Beer Mug?

Thickness and Weight: We like a beer mug with a solid heft to it. A weighty stein is sturdier, and the thickness of the glass will retain coldness better than thinner pint glasses. There’s also something satisfying about holding a big ole beer mug in your hand.

Handle Shape: Is it comfortable to hold? Do your fingers touch the glass when you grasp the handle? Is it an awkward shape? All important considerations. In general, the handle should be comfortable enough to hold for long periods of time, while keeping your fingers and knuckles from touching the glass.

Dishwasher-Safe: Not all glasses are dishwasher-safe and unless you want to add an extra step to your cleanup routine, we recommend a mug that’s easy to wash.

Design: This mostly comes down to personal preference, but we looked at a variety of beer mug styles and designs, from the traditional to the modern. Consider a classic, pebbled design in the German beer stein tradition, or maybe pick up the smooth surface of an English pub glass. We found versatile options that also work for regular everyday drinks too, like teas and sodas.

Capacity: This is the most important consideration. A beer mug should be large enough to contain an entire bottle, so you don’t get an inch or two of leftover beer left to warm on the side. We’ve found beer mugs that hold a minimum of 12 ounces — about the capacity of a regular bottle of beer.