This is the standard pint glass used in Great Britain, and was designed so that the bulge prevents the glasses getting jammed together when stacked, as well as being easier to hold and not drop due to the slippery condensation of an ice cold brew. I’m not saying that women never drink from a Yard of Ale, but if they do, it probably has something to do with rugby. The glass is approximately 1 yard (90 cm), shaped with a bulb at the bottom and a widening shaft, which constitutes most of the height.

Traditionally used in Britain to serve Barley Wines, Imperial Stouts and Scotch Ales, it focuses the aroma and can be used to gently swirl the beer to release the flavour! More to the point, the Yard of Ale glass descends from the family of Long Manly Objects whose symbolism rivals their functionality. Traditionally made in Germany, it is often used in drinking competitions to ‘down’ a large amount of beer in one go. Yard glasses can be found hanging on the walls of some English pubs, and there are a number of pubs named The Yard of Ale throughout the country.The way to combat this is to drink at a constant speed, preferably by opening your throat and pouring it down (not many people can do this), and by spinning the glass along its long axis, as the contents get lower.

Yard of Ale glasses are still used today for wine, but they are also popular for cocktails like the Tom Collins. Mounted on a birch wood stand, this classic piece of drinking history has become a staple part of any beer festival, and stands as the challenge to end all challenges for any potential world record breakers! If that's too easy, stand on a bar stool with your trousers round your ankles, whilst downing your yard, this was the preferred stance at the Rugby Club I used to play for. Chalices are similar in many ways to the Goblet but tend to be chunkier and always with a thick, sometimes patterned stem. The glass is approximately 1 yard (90 cm) long, shaped with a bulb at the bottom, and a widening shaft, which constitutes most of the height.

Downing a yard of ale takes a bit of practice, you will more than likely end up with more ale down your front than in your belly. pints as the official volume of a yard of ale, however they can vary greatly, ranging from 2 to 5 pints. The quintessential British Pint Glass has sadly gone out fashion in recent years, but if you ask, most pubs have a few to hand and will gladly serve your pint of Bitter in one.