Pilsner glasses

Start with the serving size. A flute holding around 19 cl is quickly finished and therefore stays cold until the last sip; ideal for a busy bar. The classic vase glass holds between 29 and 34 cl and is the standard for a café. A Willi Becher holding 33 or 40 cl looks slightly more slender, can be stacked in the dishwasher rack, and is the most widely used in the hospitality industry because it can also hold soft drinks and water. For home use or a terrace, a 40 to 50 cl glass is convenient, as you need to refill it less often.

Then pay attention to the rim and base. A thickened, tempered rim is less likely to chip when glasses knock against each other in a full rack. A heavy base makes the glass more stable on a fully loaded serving tray. If you want a fill line, it is common in hospitality glasses : guests can see exactly what they are getting, and you pour the same amount every time.

The head makes the beer. Hold the glass at an angle of about forty-five degrees, pour against the side until the glass is three-quarters full, then set it upright and let the final stream fall into the center so the head builds. Two fingers of foam is the Dutch measure; that foam holds in the carbonation and protects the beer from air.

Serve lager at about five to seven degrees. Colder dulls the flavor, while warmer makes the beer taste flat. Do not put glasses in the freezer: the layer of ice that forms acts as a nucleation point for the carbonation and breaks up your head. If it becomes a kopstoot, place the filled shot glass next to the beer on the table and drink the jenever first. For the smaller drinks later in the evening, see shots.

Beer asks for a beer-clean glass, and that is something other than a clean glass. Grease is the enemy: a fingerprint or a trace of washing-up liquid breaks the head down within a minute and makes bubbles stick to the wall. So wash lager glasses separately from greasy dishes and avoid rinse aid that leaves a thick film.

All the ranges here may go in the dishwasher. Rinse afterwards with cold water and let the glasses drain upside down on a rack rather than on a cloth, so no fibres or smells are left behind. If they take on a dull haze, it is usually limescale from hard water; a wash with a little vinegar brings the shine back.

If you prefer specialty beer, then the stemmed glass or tulip model is for you, and you can find them among the beer glasses. If you are looking for a large handled glass for a half-liter, take a look at the beer mugs. If you are looking for a straight glass that also works for soft drinks and long drinks, then long drink glasses are the logical choice, and you can find French catering glassware at Arcoroc.