Beer Glasses

In Canada, a pint is an imperial pint of 568 mL (20 imperial fluid ounces). Measurement Canada considers it misleading to advertise a serving as a “pint” if it holds less than 568 mL of beer, so bars that serve a 16 oz glass should call it a glass or a sleeve, not a pint. To serve a full imperial pint with a head of foam, use a glass larger than 568 mL, such as a 580 mL (19.5 oz) or 23 oz glass.

Pilsner glasses, tall and narrow, show off the colour and carbonation of lagers and pilsners. Tulip glasses, with a curved rim, hold aroma and foam for Belgian ales, IPAs and strong beers. IPA glasses, such as Spiegelau’s, have a ridged base that releases aroma as the beer is swirled. Tall wheat glasses suit hefeweizen. Mugs and steins keep lagers cold longer, and nonic pints are the all-round pub glass for ales, stouts and ciders.

Most beer styles are served with about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of foam, and wheat beers and many Belgian ales with more. The head releases aroma and improves mouthfeel. Pour with the glass tilted at about 45 degrees, then straighten it halfway to build the head. Little or no foam, or large bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass, usually means the glass is not beer-clean.

Brewers generally recommend clean, room-temperature or lightly chilled glasses rather than frosted ones. Frozen glasses can create ice crystals that make beer foam excessively, water down the beer as frost melts, and dull the aroma and flavour. Cold beer from a properly set draught system, around 2 to 4 °C for lagers, stays cold enough in a clean, rinsed glass. Rinsing a glass with cold water just before pouring is a common taproom practice.

Plan about 2 to 3 glasses per seat for each glass type you serve, enough for glasses in use, in the washer and on the shelf. Busy bars and patios with fast turnover often need more pint glasses than any other type. Add 10 to 15 percent extra to cover breakage between orders, and keep a case of shatter-resistant plastic cups for patios and events.

Shipping is a flat $16.50 anywhere in Canada and free on orders over $199 before tax. Orders are processed in 2 to 3 business days (cut-off 10:00 AM MST, Monday to Friday) and Canadian transit takes 2 to 6 business days. We also ship to the United States, with duties and taxes shown at checkout. See the Shipping page for full details.