Glassware

GLASSWARE

Glassware refers to items used as beverage vessels or containers, typically made from glass. The choice of the right glass is a vital element if the beverage is to be invitingly presented to the guest. Well-designed glassware combines elegance, strength and stability, and should be smooth rimmed and of clear glass.

Standard shapes and sizes of glassware are available to serve specific wines, cocktails, and other beverages. Most glassware can be described as:

• tumblers are flat-bottomed glasses with no handle, foot, or stem

• footed glasses have a bowl-shaped container above a flat base but no stem

• stemware has a bowl-shaped container on a stem over a flat base

Glassware available for food service operations includes common glass, fully tempered and lead crystal.

Fully Tempered Glassware

                 Commercial operations commonly use this type of glassware because it is stronger than other types, although it has the disadvantage of shattering when broken.

Lead Crystal Glassware

                  It is known to have 24% lead crystal, and also known as flint glass this glassware is known for its brilliance and clarity, but it is expensive. For that reason, it is best suited to fine-dining establishments.

Handling Glassware

Important considerations in handling glassware:

• Glassware should always be stored upside down in an appropriate rack.

• Check glassware frequently to ensure that it is free from cracks or chips and that it is thoroughly cleaned.

• Use a beverage tray to carry glasses in the dining room.

• Carry clean stemmed glassware by hand, inverting the glasses and placing their bases between the fingers and the weight of the base of the next glass. Depending on dexterity, hand size, and experience, the server may carry as many as 16 glasses this way.

• When presenting a set number of glasses onto a cover, be aware of accepted industry standards. Wine or beverage glasses are placed to the right of the water goblet in a sequence from right to left, the one furthest to the right being used first.

Standard Sizes and Shapes

Glassware is available in a variety of sizes and shapes as shown in the following examples:

TYPES OF GLASSWARE

Beer Mug or Stein

A beer mug takes its shape from the traditional German beer stare stein on tankard made of pewter, silver, wood, porcelain, earthenware or glass; sometimes with a hingled and levered thumb lift.

Flute Glass

A flute glass is the preferred serving vessel for Belgian lambics and fruit beers, and sometimes champagne. The narrow shape helps maintain carbonation while providing a strong aromatic front. Flute glasses display the lively carbonation, sparkling, color and soft lacing of distinct style of beverage.

Goblet or Chalice

Chalices in goblets are large, stemmed, bowl-shaped glasses adequate for serving heavy Belgian ales, German bocks, and other big shipping beers. The distinction between goblet and chalice is typically in the glass thickness. Goblets tend to be more delicate and thin, while the chalice is heavy in thick walled.

Sniffers

Typically used for serving brandy and cognac, a snifter is ideal for capturing and volatiles of aromatic beers such as Belgian ales, India pale ales, Barley wines and wheat wines. The shape helps trap the volatiles while allowing swirling to agitate them and produce an intense aroma.

 

Cocktail Glass

A cocktail glass, martini glass, or champagne glass, or stem cocktail glass, is a drinking glass with a cone-shaped bowl (the tip of the cone forming approximately a 90-degree angle in the cross section) on a stem above a flat base.

The cocktail glass is used to serve a cocktail or champagne. As with other stemware, the stem allows the drinker to hold the glass without affecting the temperature of the drink. One variation is the double martini glass which is taller and wider at the opening than a standard martini glass.

Red Wine Glasses

Glasses for red wine are characterized by their rounder, wider bowl which gives the wine a chance to breathe. Since most reds are meant to be consumed at room temperature, the wider bowl also allows the wine to cool more quickly after hand contact has warmed it. Red wine glasses can have particular styles of their own, such as:

Bordeaux glass: Tall with a wide bowl and is designed for full bodied red wines like Cabernet and Merlot as it directs wine to the back of the mouth.

Burqundy glass: Larger than the Bordeaux glass, it has a larger bowl to accumulate aromas of more delicate red wines such as Pinot Noir. This style of glass directs wine to the tip of the tongue.

White Wine Glass

White wine glasses are generally narrower, although not as narrow as champagne flutes, with somewhat straight or tulip-shaped sides. The narrowness of the white wine glass allows the chilled wine to retain its temperature for two reasons:

The reduced surface area of the glass as compared to red wine glasses means less air circulating around the glass which warms the wine. 

The smaller bowl of the glass means less contact between the hand and the glass. Body heat does not transfer as easily or as fast to the wine.

Champagne Flutes

Champagne flutes are characterized by a long stem with a tall, narrow bowl on top. The shape is designed to keep sparkling wine attractive and inviting during its consumption. The glass is designed to be held by the stem to help prevent the heat from the hand up the champagne. The bowl itself is designed in ar manner to help retain the signature carbonation in the beverage.

The champagne flute achieves by reducing the surface area at the opening of the bowl. Champagne flutes are often used at formal engagements such as award ceremonies and weddings.

Sherry Glass

A sherry glass is a beverage ware generally used for serving aromatic alcoholic beverages, such as sherry. port, aperitifs and liqueurs, and layered shooters. An ISO-standard sized sherry glass is 120 ml. The copita with its aroma-enhancing narrow taper is a type of sherry glass.

Coupette Glass

A modified version of the cocktail glass which is used for serving drinks. The rim of the glass is coated in either sugar or salt or any other condiments. This is used for more exotic drinks such as margaritas.

Old Fashioned Glasss

The old-Fashioned glass, rocks glass, or lowball, is a short tumbler used for serving liquor "on the rocks" which means over ice, or cocktails having few ingredients. It is named after the old 

fashioned cocktail, traditionally served in such a glass. A White Russian is traditionally served in the Old Fashioned Glass.

Beer Glass or Pilsner

A beer glass is used to serve beer, sometimes also known as a Pilsner. The German glass generally holds 500 milliliters with room for foam or head. It is much taller than a pint glass. It is very narrow at the bottom and slightly wider at the top. In other countries such as Belgium, the glass may hold 250 ml or 330 ml. The tall glass provides room for the often thick, fluffy heads produced by the style which traps aromas and is visually pleasing

Pitcher

This larger container usually has a handle and a lip or spout for pouring the contents into several glasses Which is available in glass or plastic. Pitchers are generally used for serving beer from a beer keg or draft beer.

Yard Glass

A yard or yard glass is a very tall glass used for drinking beer; a yard or yard of ale also refers to the quantity of beer held by such a glass. The glass is approximately one-yard-long and holds two imperial pints (1.14 liters) of liquid. The glass is shaped with a bulb at the bottom, and a widening shaft which constitutes most of the height. Because the glass is so long and in any case does not usually have a stable flat base, it is hung on the wall when not in use.

Coffee Mug

A coffee mug is a smaller version of the beer mug. It is made of thick heavy glass and used for coffee.

Irish Coffee Cup

A uniquely shaped glass with a handle that is used to serve any hot beverage such as Spanish coffee, Irish coffee, or cocoa.

Highball Glass

A highball glass, a glass tumbler, contains 8 to 12 fluid ounces (240 to 350 ml) and is used to serve highball cocktails and other mixed drinks. A highball glass is taller than an Old Fashioned glass, and shorter and wider than a Collins glass.