Schott Zwiesel Convention

Think in table settings. The 26 cl water glass is the standard that stands beside the plate: small enough not to dominate, large enough not to need topping up every five minutes. The 34.5 cl beer tumbler replaces a stemmed beer glass and is steadier on a full tray. For soft drinks and mixed drinks the 37 cl longdrink glass is the logical size, and the 29 cl whisky glass covers the spirits. With these four models a banqueting set-up is complete without duplicate sizes, which saves room in the cupboard and at the sink.

Beer from a tumbler is poured differently than from a tulip glass. Hold the glass at an angle until it is about half full and then set it upright, so the head builds in one go instead of collapsing. Water is best poured from a carafe rather than the bottle, which keeps the pace at the table calm. A cuba libre fits exactly in the 37 cl longdrink glass, with room for ice and a slice of lime. For a kopstoot you set the beer and the jenever side by side.

Convention is made of Tritan crystal glass: lead-free, clear and with a rim that a heat treatment makes less prone to chipping. That is what a banqueting series has to manage, because most damage occurs not while drinking but while clearing and stacking. The glasses stand up to many wash cycles in the dishwasher. Keep the rinse water descaled and use rinse aid sparingly, and they stay clear rather than dull.

If you want to complete the series with wine glasses or stemmed beer glasses, take a look at the full range from Schott Zwiesel. If you are after glasses that also nest to save cupboard space, stacking glasses are a more practical choice. And for anyone finishing off the back bar, the cocktail shakers hold the tools that go with these glasses.