# In other countries, what kind of glass is beer served in? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [June 18, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247 "2013-06-18T04:14:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/21 "2013-06-18T15:07:20Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > In Australia? [It’s complicated.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_in_Australia#Sizes) In my neck of the woods, the usual go-to size would be a glass (200ml) or if you’re really thirsty a pot (285). I don’t often see people ordering pints. There’s also the custom of ordering a jug (about 5 glasses-worth) for the table. I’m actually quite a bit surprised that 200mL and 285mL would be the standard serving in Australia. 200mL is like a shot of beer to me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/22 "2013-06-18T15:08:31Z")
In Belgium, it’s [complicated](http://www.truebeer.com/Belgian-Beer-Glasses_c_6.html). And mainly for tourists. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/23 "2013-06-18T15:14:44Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > In Belgium, it’s [complicated](http://www.truebeer.com/Belgian-Beer-Glasses_c_6.html). > > And mainly for tourists. Cool! I’ve drunk from many of those, including the Lindeman flute style glass. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/24 "2013-06-18T15:15:02Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m actually quite a bit surprised that 200mL and 285mL would be the standard serving in Australia. 200mL is like a shot of beer to me. 🙂 I wonder if it’s something to do with Australia generally being a hot country\*, and it being better to have lots of small ice-cold beers, rather than one long one that warms up quickly? \*Yeah I know the bars are probably air-conditioned, but some might not be. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/25 "2013-06-18T15:17:33Z")
Sam Adams had a commercial touting their new beer glass. It had laser etching or something to make the beer bubble in just the right way, and I think it had some special shape to the rim to do something or other. They were quite proud of it, and how it enhanced the taste and experience of drinking a Sam Adams beer. [Newcastle Brown Ale responded with this commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzC4FupOSCA). Brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/26 "2013-06-18T16:08:06Z")
> [@NorthernBiker](#): > > In Canada, the beer is served in pints too, but they are 19-20oz (568ml) ie Imperial Pint instead of 16oz like in the USA. Some places will serve 16oz pints ☹ even though they aren’t legally supposed to. I think this is accurate for bars, but pints packaged for home consumption in Canada are usually 473 ml (or 500 ml if it’s a European beer sold in Canada). I can’t recall ever buying a can or bottle in Canada that was 568 ml. The pint glass I bought in the US has the same volume as many pint glasses sold in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/27 "2013-06-18T16:10:03Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > I wonder if it’s something to do with Australia generally being a hot country\*, and it being better to have lots of small ice-cold beers, rather than one long one that warms up quickly? > > \*Yeah I know the bars are probably air-conditioned, but some might not be. Actually, that’s a good point. In Hungary sometimes we’d switch to the 300mL size on hot days just for that reason. ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/28 "2013-06-18T18:12:43Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > In Belgium, it’s [complicated](http://www.truebeer.com/Belgian-Beer-Glasses_c_6.html). > > And mainly for tourists. That’s just for ‘special beers’. If you want standard lager (most likely Jupiler), you will have some standard glasses (similar to Holland I’d think, but maybe no ‘fluitjes’). In Belgium ‘pintje’ is used for any glass of beer (as in ‘Let’s get a pintje’). ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/29 "2013-06-18T18:36:04Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > In Belgium, it’s [complicated](http://www.truebeer.com/Belgian-Beer-Glasses_c_6.html). > > And mainly for tourists. I have to say it’s a clever idea, though. I lived in the Netherlands for a couple of years and was introduced to the brand-customized-beer-glass-shape concept there, with the result that if I see a glass shaped like the “official” glass of one of my favorite Belgian ales, I start wanting one. Kind of cunning of them to get visual stimuli working in their favor without the customer even having to see the beer itself. However, I haven’t the foggiest idea whether the “official” shape does anything for the taste of the beer other than just visually nudging you to crave it. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/30 "2013-06-18T18:57:31Z")
A friend of mine worked in a restaurant that received a shipment of complimentary 1 liter beer mugs from a Czech brewer. But they couldn’t use them since no one would pay what they’d have to charge for 1 liter and the mugs would be half empty if they served them with the amount they charged for. So he offered them to us, his friends. I picked up one for myself and four or so for my coworkers. They’re awesome mugs. ---
**Author:** ![NorthernBiker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@NorthernBiker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NorthernBiker)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/31 "2013-06-19T05:46:41Z")
> [@heathen\_earthling](#): > > I think this is accurate for bars, but pints packaged for home consumption in Canada are usually 473 ml (or 500 ml if it’s a European beer sold in Canada). I can’t recall ever buying a can or bottle in Canada that was 568 ml. The pint glass I bought in the US has the same volume as many pint glasses sold in Canada. Correct, I was talking about bars. Due to the US being such a large market, most cans/bottles follow US bottling practices. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/32 "2013-06-19T06:04:47Z")
> [@NorthernBiker](#): > > In Canada, the beer is served in pints too, but they are 19-20oz (568ml) ie Imperial Pint instead of 16oz like in the USA. Some places will serve 16oz pints ☹ even though they aren’t legally supposed to. This depends on the province. In Ontario, a pint is just as you describe. In Alberta, however, a “pint” seems to mean “a glass of beer off the tap.” So you can end up with anything: 14 oz, 16 oz, 18 oz, or 20 oz, depending on what the pub typically decides to serve. Larger sizes are available (a 32 oz “schooner,” for example). Pubs will tell you what size a “pint” means in the place if you ask, and some will even go so far as to tell you something like, “We have 16-ounce glasses, but we pour to 14 ounces.” It drives an English friend of mine crazy, as when he orders a pint, he expects a proper, 20-ounce pint. Heck, it drives me crazy too, as I’m originally from Ontario, where a pint is–well, a pint. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/33 "2013-06-19T08:40:52Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > I wonder if it’s something to do with Australia generally being a hot country\*, and it being better to have lots of small ice-cold beers, rather than one long one that warms up quickly? > > \*Yeah I know the bars are probably air-conditioned, but some might not be. The 200ml size isn’t common. The small sizes were traditionally served because your beer warmed up. Country pubs are not usually air conditioned, even now. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/34 "2013-06-19T18:11:05Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > The Imperial Pint is the standard in the UK (568ml). You can also buy a half pint. And IMHO an imperial pint, should come in an [Imperial Pint Glass.](http://craftbeeracademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/therightglass.png) ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/35 "2013-06-20T04:55:23Z")
When I first was in China a couple of decades ago, generally speaking, beer was served in either 700m bottles or in bowls. This was in the 80’s. You’d order a beer and get the bottle with a bowl, eat your rice first and then use the bowl, or if it was on tap would get it served in the bowl. It wasn’t the rice bowl size but the next size up so probably 300-500 ml. My father in law still often drinks his beer out of a bowl. He won’t turn down a glass or a mug, but a bowl is a-ok. I’ll often have a few bowls with him. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/36 "2013-06-22T02:40:30Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > But what kind of glasses? > Over here (UK) there are two classic designs for pint glasses, the “[straight glass](http://www.drinkstuff.com/productimg/44656.jpg)” and the “[jug](http://www.deluxehire.co.uk/WebRoot/BT2/Shops/Store2_002E_Shop1958/46C6/BF4B/59FA/A18C/1F27/AC10/3D29/0C84/Glass_Pint_Tankard.jpg)” > > The straight glass has a bulge, and the jug lacks a spout. Don’t ask me why those names are used. I’ve no idea. When I worked behind the bar we used to call the straight glasses, Sleeves, or Sleevers. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/37 "2013-06-23T00:25:51Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > No particular kind of glass in Sweden. Many bars use pint glasses, though (I mean real pints = 56,8 cl), but they don’t understand that one pint is an exact measurement, not the type of glass the beer is served in. A stor stark (equivalent to just going to the bar and asking for “a beer”) isn’t a pint though. These days it is anywhere from 350 to 500ml, normally somewhere around 400 (I’d guess). They are often noticeably smaller than a proper pint. > **[Stor stark](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stor_stark)** > > En stor stark är i Sverige ett glas starköl av opreciserat märke, i allmänhet ljust lageröl serverat från fat. > Det "stora" är dock en relativ enhet. På 1970- och 1980-talen var en stor stark 56,8 cl, det vill säga en brittisk pint. Under 1990-talet och senare har mängden i högre utsträckning handlat om ca 40–50 cl. På enstaka krogar (mestadels i Stockholm) har den under 2000-talet ytterligare minskat till en 35 centiliter stor öl. > En stor stark är i normala fall 50 cl, oftast av ett billigare ... Not that I’d drink the muck though. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/38 "2013-06-24T10:25:56Z")
To quote a sign that the former landlord of the Löwenbräu (which doesn’t serve Löwebräu beer any more) had on the wall “Don’t just ask for ‘a beer’! You don’t ask for ‘a food’, do you?”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/39 "2013-06-24T15:34:09Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Newcastle Brown Ale responded with this commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzC4FupOSCA). Brilliant. The comments seem to say that’s a response to Stella’s “chalice” commercials, which makes more sense. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247/40 "2013-06-24T15:38:48Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The comments seem to say that’s a response to Stella’s “chalice” commercials, which makes more sense. I haven’t seen that one. The one that came to my mind was Sam Adams, since they made such a big deal about their glass. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247.md?page=3)