Beer has come a long way since its first appearance. Years ago beer was nothing more than an agent to induce intoxication and the taste didn’t matter. Today, that thought would make any beer drinker shudder. It’s hard to think that color, aroma and taste were all ignored. But times have changed. This generation, and those that follow, have turned beer into more than just a brewed beverage. It’s a craft that should be understood and appreciated, not chugged and forgotten.

Alongside the aromas and flavors imparted by the beer is the presentation in which the beer is delivered. Ever notice how some beers are served in different glasses than others? It isn’t random. Many brewers design glasses specifically for their beer. Belgian brewers are famous for this. Most recently, the Boston Brewery created a lager glass that retains the temperature and aromas of the beer.

Glassware is often chosen to enhance a beer’s flavor, aroma and appearance. But which glass goes with which beer? Remembering the answer would be a difficult task, and one we’ve made irrelevant with this handy guide to beer glassware.

Pilsner Glass

Typically tapered, a pilsner glass is made to retain the head while showcasing the color and carbonation of the beer. Use this glass for lagers, pilsners, bocks, doppelbocks, schwarzbiers and witbiers.

Mug

A mug generally has thick glass and a handle. It’s a very traditional “man glass” used for one reason: it holds a lot of beer. You should use this glass for IPAs, pale ales, stouts, porters, smoked beer, really anything you’d like to have a large volume of.

Pint Glass

The most common beer glass out there, a pint glass can come in one of two sizes:  16-ounce or 20-ounce. Often there is a bulge grip just above the middle of the glass, and the wide mouth makes for ease of drinking, as well as easy storing. You can use this glass for any beer.

Chalice

A beer glass with a carefully crafted stem. A chalice is made with a wide mouth for head retention; many are etched in the bottom of the glass to create a steady stream of bubbles. This glass is meant for Belgian beers, especially heavy ales.

Stange

For beers that have pleasurable hoppy aromas, use a stange. The cylindrical glass is similar to a Tom Collins glass and should be used to serve bocks, fruit beers, rye beers and rauchbiers.

Flute

This elegant glass is used to flaunt color and carbonation and amplify intensely enjoyable aromas imparted by the beer. It is recommended to serve fruit beers, scharzbiers and champagne beers with a flute glass.

Tulip

Another stemmed beer glass, but this one is shaped like a tulip; the lip, of which, helps to maintain the foam in beers with bigger heads. This glass is also good for showcasing the aroma of the beer. Use to serve American imperial IPAs, Belgian beers and fruit beers.

Snifter

Often used for cognac, this glass is great when you have a strongly aromatic brew. The wide base allows the volatiles of the beer to be captured and concentrated for a fuller nose. Serve dark and pale ales and Russian imperial stouts in a snifter.