Stein

By far the most ornate beer vessels are the Bavarian steins. These are usually ceramic, earthenware or stoneware, and are intricately decorated with scenes of nature, castles, and villages. They come in a variety of sizes, usually 1/2L, 1L, or 2L - the preferred portions of Bavarian drinkers. While steins do nothing for the appearance of the beer, there is little question that these beautiful pieces of folk art (even if they are made in a factory, they’re still pretty nice) are visually appealing unto themselves. The aromatic aspect is admittedly not as strong from these materials as from glass, but the taste is unencumbered. Thankfully, some steins have lids, which you can use to trap aromas in so that when you open the lid you get a big shot of malt (or smoke, if you are drinking rauchbier). The added bonus of the lid is that you keep blackflies and mosquitoes out of your beer if you’re camping and the cigarette smoke out if you’re in a low-ceilinged cellar bar in Germany. Use for any traditional lager.

Appropriate for these styles:
Amber Lager - Czech / Polotmavý
Bock - Doppelbock
Bock - Eisbock
Bock - Heller Bock / Maibock
Dark Lager - Dunkel / Tmavý
Gose
Gotlandsdricka / Koduõlu / Sahti
Märzen / Oktoberfest Bier
Pilsener - Imperial
Schwarzbier / Black Lager
Smoked - Rauchbier
Traditional Ale - Other
Weissbier - Dunkelweizen
Weissbier - Weizenbock
Zwickelbier / Kellerbier / Landbier