The Best Beer Mugs

Buying Guide for Beer Mugs

Why buy a beer mug?

Assuming you’re a beer drinker, owning a beer mug gives you the option to imbibe whenever you want to from the comfort of your home. If you’re a regular bar-goer, you may save money if you choose to stay home to drink instead. Maybe you could invite some friends over for beer, snacks, and a card or pool game and make it a fun, social occasion. If you’re a collector, you may want to start a beer mug collection or add to your existing one. And if you’re not a beer fan, you may find that beer mugs work well for root beer floats, cold brew coffee, and more.

What should you look for in a beer mug?

• Style: There are the classic, heavy glass steins with thick handles that feel good to grip as well as the unconventional mug styles that make great gifts. For those who like the minimalist look, there are stainless steel insulated mugs with sleek exteriors.
• Material: Glass is the most common material, but there are also many plastic and stainless steel beer mugs. Which of these speak to you? Stainless steel has an imperviousness to impact, plastic allows for longevity, glass is basic but classic.
• Size: Of the beer mugs we’ve reviewed, the standard size seems to be around 16 ounces, the size of a long-neck beer bottle. Of course, there are larger, 24-ounce options, too. When choosing a size, you may also want to consider that you can use the mug for other beverages, too.

What else can you use a beer mug for?

Beer mugs, especially those that are insulated, make great containers for other chilled or warm drinks. Aside from beer, you can enjoy a big cup of hot cocoa or apple cider from a beer mug. Some are perfect for homemade cold beverages such as iced tea, lemonade, or ice cream floats.

Moving on from beverages, you could also use a clear and tall beer mug as a plant pot. Make it a project with your kids. Build a terrarium with a glass beer mug. Plant some seeds and watch them grow roots and sprout.

Our Picks for the Best Beer Mugs

Pros: This four-pack of 17.25-ounce beer glasses is a terrific find. The quality, lead-free Italian glass is crafted by master glassblowers. Measuring 6 inches high and 3.5 inches wide, these tankards are pretty large with big handles for proper gripping. The classic German-style stein and the classy Italian glass brilliance are lovely. Just look at the ornate bottom design created by intricately patterned glass cuts. These mugs work for casual gatherings like football games and nice dinner parties as well. They’re easy to clean either by hand or in the dishwasher.

Cons: If you don’t like the feel of a heavy beer glass, you may want to consider other options.

Bottom Line: You may want to keep this attractive collection of quality glass beer steins in a display case. But why not bring them out when you have company? They’re sure to impress and they’re super functional.

 

Pros: Sip a cold beer in this stainless steel insulated beer mug. It’s claimed to be unbreakable so that you can drop it or hit it without damage. It should last years. Its insulated design has yet another advantage: it won’t sweat, even if it’s been sitting in the freezer. Just pour your favorite beer for an ice-cold treat and pop on the airtight lid for leakproof and sweat-free enjoyment. It’s quite large, holding up to 16.9 ounces.

Cons: Some users say that the mug is smaller than it looks in the product photos.

Bottom Line: This is an ideal insulated beer mug that will also work well for coffee or tea. Get a lot of convenient use out of this mug.

 

Pros: You saw that right; this drinking horn is made from genuine ox horn. This material comes from ethically sourced byproducts of bovine oxen. Each drinking horn varies in shape and color. Each is hand-selected, hand-cut, and hand-polished by experienced artisans. Every drinking horn is fortified with a sturdy resin bottom that’s treated with food-safe epoxy for no-slip, no-leak, no-nonsense drinking. The sides are double reinforced for strength and insulation.

Cons: This drinking horn is made from real oxen and has a distinctive and strong scent.

Bottom Line: This beer mug makes a great gift or prop, yet it’s also functional, so go ahead and pour yourself a brewski.

 

Pros: There’s something rugged about the Stanley Adventure beer stein. Its strong build practically invites you out into the woods. Not only does it survive 4,000-foot drops and speeding bullets, but it also keeps your beer perfectly cold with its vacuum-insulated double walls that keep hot drinks hot for an hour and cold drinks cold for five. Though it has an imposing look, the Stanley Adventure mug is great for relaxing at barbecues, beside the pool, or at a party.

Cons: Some find it too big, others too small. Many wish it came with a lid.

Bottom Line: This BPA-free food-grade stainless steel beer mug comes in three colors and provides impressive insulation and durability.

 

Pros: You can have a chilly beer or another frozen beverage without the hassle of adding ice. These mugs are double-walled with gel inside. When you place them in the freezer, ideally upside down for 2 to 4 hours, the gel turns into this magic ice-like substance that looks cool and keeps your drink cool, too. The mugs are made of high-quality, BPA-free polystyrene, which adds strength and clarity.

Cons: Unfortunately, these mugs are hand wash only, a quality that deters some users.

Bottom Line: These effective mugs are just asking to be used to chill your favorite beer. The fun doesn’t stop there, though; use it to chill daiquiris, non-alcoholic slushies or smoothies, and fizzy sodas, too.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a beer-lover, you probably need no explanation about the point of a good beer mug. Those we reviewed here are just a peek into this ever-evolving world. If you’re interested in beer mugs, pull up a stool and start browsing.