Pint Glasses

How much a pint glass holds

A British pint is 568ml, or 20 imperial fluid ounces, but glasses described as pints vary in size, so the capacity in millilitres is the better guide when you are choosing.

A glass that holds exactly a pint to the brim leaves no space for a head, which is why some drinkers prefer a glass with more room. Among ours, a few hold 580ml, just over a British pint, so a full pint sits close to the rim. A few hold 460ml, less than a British pint, which suits a 330ml bottle with room for the head.

Classic pub shapes worth knowing

Pint glasses are the best known of British beer glasses, and a few classic shapes turn up in pubs again and again. The nonic has a gentle bulge a few centimetres from the rim. Its name comes from 'no nick', because the bulge takes the knocks that would otherwise chip the rim, and it gives your fingers something to hold.

The conical pint is the simplest, tapering from a wide rim to a narrower base. The tulip swells gently as it rises and is often used for stout. The dimpled mug, with its handle and rows of dimples, was a pub favourite for bitter and still has plenty of fans.

What to look for in a pint glass

We suggest starting with what you like to drink. Clear glass shows off the colour of what is inside, from a pale lager to a ruby bitter, and you will find some clear glasses among ours. Some have a shiny finish that looks smart on an open shelf or a home bar.

Then think about how a glass feels in the hand. A handle keeps warm fingers away from a chilled lager, while a glass without one is simpler to wash and takes less room in a cupboard. Finally, check the height of the shelf your glasses will go on, as a pint glass stands taller than a tumbler.

Giving pint glasses as a gift

A pint glass is a present that gets used rather than put away, whether it is for Father's Day or a birthday. Among ours you will find some suited to birthdays and some that make good gifts for men more generally. When you are choosing, think about the beer he drinks and how he likes it served. Someone who likes a full pint will want a glass with enough room, while a bottle drinker may be happy with something smaller.

A second glass means he can share a pint with someone, and a bottle of a beer he likes makes the present ready to give.

Pouring a good pint at home

Give the glass a quick rinse in cold water first, which clears any dust and helps the beer flow smoothly. Hold it at about 45 degrees and pour down the inside wall until it is around two thirds full, then bring it upright and pour into the centre to build the head.

Bottle-conditioned ales have a layer of yeast in the base of the bottle. Pour them slowly and steadily, without stopping, and leave the last centimetre in the bottle so the yeast stays out of your glass.

Washing, drying and storing your glasses

Washing by hand is the gentlest way to look after glass, and it is the better choice whenever you are not sure a glass can go in the dishwasher. Use warm water and a little washing-up liquid, then rinse well in clean water, as any detergent left behind will flatten the next head. Let your glasses drain upside down on a rack, or dry them with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Store them upright in the cupboard to protect the rims, which are usually the thinnest part of a glass. Try not to stack one glass inside another, because they can wedge together and crack when pulled apart. Glass dislikes sudden changes of temperature, so let a cold glass warm up before it meets hot water.