The Real Reason Pint Glasses Have a Bulge Will Surprise You

A Versatile Choice for Many Beer Styles
One of the biggest strengths of the nonic glass is its versatility. It works well for many common beer styles, including:

Ales
Lagers
Stouts
Because it’s not tied to a specific beer style, pubs and bars often prefer it as an all-purpose serving glass.

How It Compares to Other Pint Glasses
The Shaker Pint Glass
The Shaker pint glass, widely used in the United States, is a simple straight-sided glass originally designed for shaking cocktails.

While it’s cheap and easy to manufacture, it lacks the durability and grip of the nonic glass. Without the protective bulge, shaker pints are more prone to chipping and breaking in busy bar environments.

The Tulip Pint Glass
The Tulip pint glass, commonly used in Ireland, is famous for serving Guinness.

Its curved shape helps concentrate aromas and maintain a creamy head, which makes it ideal for stouts. However, tulip glasses are generally less durable and harder to stack compared to nonic glasses.