GLASSWARE SELECTION MADE EASY
By Jennifer Holly
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Selecting glassware can seem like a daunting task, even for experienced restaurateurs and food service operators. With countless options available there is a solution for every requirement.
For most establishments, the following information will help simplify ordering. Of course, this is just a guideline and may have to be altered to fit the specific nature of the atmosphere, requirements and clientele. To determine the starting quantity of each type of glass, multiply the number of seats by the bar service/dining service factor.
WINE GLASS
Used to drink and taste wine, this glass is generally composed of three parts: the bowl, stem and foot.
9 oz wine glass: Bar service 3. Dining service 1.5
12 oz wine glass: Bar service 2.5, Dining service 2
16 oz (or more) wine glass: Bar service 1.5, Dining service 1.5
CHAMPAGNE FLUTE
Characterized by a long stem with a tall, narrow bowl on top, the shape of this glass is designed to keep sparkling wine desirable during its consumption.
6 to 8 oz flute: Bar service 2. Dining service 2
AROMATIC ALCOHOL GLASS
This glassware is generally used for serving aromatic alcoholic beverages, such as sherry and port, as well as liqueurs.
2 to 4 oz glass: Bar service 1. Dining service 2
PINT GLASS
Predominantly used to serve beer, this drinking vessel is an inverted truncated cone that tapers over its height.
18 to 20 oz pint glass: Bar service 3. Dining service 0.75
10 to 12 oz half pint glass: Bar service 1.5. Dining service 1.5
BOTTLED BEER GLASS
While different styles of glassware complement different types of beer, several kinds of bottled beer glassware have a stem that serves to prevent the heat of the drinker’s hand from warming the beverage.
14 oz glass: Bar service 1. Dining service 1.5
SHOT GLASS
This small glass is designed to measure or hold liquor, to be either poured into a mixed drink or drunk straight from the glass.
1 to 1.25 oz: Bar service 2. Dining service 0.75
ROCKS GLASS
Also known as a lowball glass, this glass is a short tumbler used for serving alcoholic beverages, such as whisky, with ice cubes.
8 to 9 oz rocks glass: Bar service 1. Dining service 2.
12 oz double rocks glass: Bar service 1. Dining service 2.
HIGHBALL & TALL MIXER GLASS
These tall glasses are used to serve highball cocktails, such as gin and tonic or Jack and Coke, and other mixed drinks.
10 to 12 oz highball glass: Bar service 1. Dining service 2.
10 to 16 oz tall mixer glass: Bar service 1.5. Dining service 2.
BRANDY GLASS
The wide base of this glass provides ample surface area to release aromatic vapours while the narrow mouth helps hold the aroma within the glass during consumption of the drink, enhancing the experience.
14 to 25 oz glass: Bar service 0.25. Dining service 0.4.
MARTINI GLASS
Also called a cocktail glass, this stemmed glass has a cone-shaped bowl placed upon a stem above a flat base.
7 to 10 oz glass: Bar service 0.75. Dining service 1.
Jennifer Holly is the director of marketing at Tableware Solutions Ltd., an importer, master distributor and designer of tabletop products targeting the hospitality market in North America. In Canada, Tableware is the exclusive distributor for Anton Black, Bauscher, Continental, Hepp Germany, Le Buffet, Rosenthal and Sam & Squito, as well as a value priced glassware range. For more information, contact Jennifer at 905.629.9555 or info@tablewaresolutions.com.
