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elbowcrooker

No.4 in my antiques series:

Ale glasses

Due to the interminable wars with the French, drinking French wine was seen as unpatriotic in the Georgian period, so better-off Brits drank strong ale instead. At around 10% ABV, this was drunk from conical ale glasses, capacity about 4 ounces.
The glass shown below dates from about 1790-1800. At 6 inches tall, it is a 'short ale', meaning it has a shorter stem than a true ale glass but a longer one than a 'dwarf ale'.

A Georgian 'Short ale' glass. It was made in 3 parts: bowl, stem and foot which were formed separately and then put together. Engraved with barley and hops to show it's use and with the owners initials, BJS. The engraving was done by holding the glass against a rotating abrasive wheel.
The same glass, viewed from above with a black background to show the engraved 'ears' of barley and the owner's initials.
The same glass, photographed from above and against a black background to show the engraved hop flower, leaves and tendrils.
Mar 30, 2025, 09:17 AM·Public·Moshidon
8boosts·18favorites
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bytebro

@elbowcrooker So about a 1/4 (UK) pint. Which at 10% ABV, seems reasonable!

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elbowcrooker

@bytebro
That's right. And thanks for responding.
Ordinary folk would have drunk 'small beer' which is thought to have been around 5 or 6%
Glass, being entirely hand made by skilled workers was expensive so small beer was drunk from cheaper, more durable pewter or ceramic tankards.

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