Britain’s Glass Distinction

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30846, 3 September 1965, Page 20

Britain’s Glass Distinction

(Special Crspdl. N.Z.P.AJ LONDON, September 1. There is a lot of glass distinction going on in Britain’s pubs, the “Daily Mirror” diarist says. In an age of snob symbols, nothing is getting more attention than the glassware in pubs. It is very scientific and profitable. Thousands of pounds are being spent each year on new designs to lure the discerning modern drinker. One London brewery has launched “his" and “hers" glasses. “His” is a 12oz goblet with a 3in stem; “hers” is an Boz goblet with a 2in stem. The woman’s goblet holds about two-thirds of a half pint of beer. A brewery spokesman said: “Women told us a halfpint was too much to drink at a time.”

Smooth stems, which give an expensive look, rather than the many-sided ones, are popular. At London’s Hilton Hotel women like their beer in traditional heavy tankards

was handles and dimples. But in Manchester’s plushiest hotels, handles and dimples are out.

In Liverpool, stout comes in straight-sided halfpint pots. In parts of Wales straight pint glasses with handles are the favourite. The brewers suggest that while the lady tripper at the seaside likes her glass with a wide top and stem, no smart young thing stepping out of her sports car would not dream of downing her drink in anything but a manly tank ard.

Guinness spent nearly a year working on a new lager glass. It was an elongated brandy balloon with a tall stem.

It was popular in London and the south-east but failed in rural areas.

Rural people prefer the vase shape with their beer.