La Rochere Silex

The series revolves around three sizes, each serving a different moment. The 42 cl beer glass takes a whole bottle of craft beer, head and all, and the broad foot keeps it steady on a wobbly terrace table. The 30 cl tumbler is the everyday size for water, soft drinks or a whisky with ice, and comes in sixes. The 6 cl shot glasses arrive as an assortment of four, so you put four different motifs on the table. For more sizes, see the full range of beer glasses and tumbler glasses.

Pour craft beer into the 42 cl glass by holding it at an angle first and aiming the last part at the centre, so you get a two-finger head without it running over. The thick wall holds the temperature longer than thin glass, which works out nicely with a heavy beer. The tumbler is the shape an old fashioned belongs in, with a large block of ice that melts slowly. The shot glasses are there for spirits, for instance for the jenever alongside a lager in a kopstoot.

Silex is pressed soda-lime glass, thicker and heavier than blown glass and therefore less sensitive to knocks against the rim. It can go in the dishwasher without any fuss. Do stand the glasses upright in the lower rack rather than upside down on the prongs, because then water stays behind in the relief. Limescale shows up faster in the facets than on smooth glass, so a rinse aid or drying by hand once makes a visible difference.

If you want to see the rest of this French brand, all the series are at La Rochère, including the bee motifs the house is known for. If you are only after small sizes, take a look at the shot glasses. And if this robust style suits you but you want something more old-fashioned in shape, browse the vintage glasses. The three Silex models are gathered above, so you can match them up in one go.