Kölschschankglas

Kölschschankglas, commonly called Kölschstange or Stange, is the standard glass used to serve Kölsch, the pale, top-fermented beer of Cologne (Köln) and its surroundings. It is a tall, slender cylindrical glass with a typical capacity of about 0.2 liters (200 ml). The design concentrates the beer’s cool temperature and tight foam while allowing quick replacement in busy bars.

The shape is a straight, uniform cylinder with a smooth rim, usually made from clear, thin-walled glass. In Cologne, bartenders and waiters—often called Köbes—pour Kölsch into these glasses in rapid succession; customers drink and return the glass as a new one is served. The glass is integral to the local serving tradition, in which a table may see several glasses in quick alternation.

While the 0.2 L size is standard, some venues may experiment with other volumes or decorative variants, but the Stange remains the canonical Kölsch service vessel. The term Kölschschankglas is often used interchangeably with Kölschstange in catalogs and museum descriptions. The glass is a recognizable symbol of Cologne’s beer culture and Kölsch tradition, and its use is commonly associated with the Kölsch Konvention, which governs the serving style of Kölsch in the region.