With an on-trade craft beer market worth some £225m and sales set to double by 2015, glassware specialist Anchor Hocking by EveryWare is warning that that UK bars and restaurants may not be well enough equipped to make the most of this opportunity.
While it is well known that different styles of glass best complement certain varieties and bouquets of wine, with specific shapes having evolved to bring out the best of each type – what isn’t as well understood is that the same logic applies to craft beers.
Gavin Owen, Head of Sales for Foodservice, EveryWare says: “The trends for craft beer and for designing glassware that can enhance the varying characteristics of the brews both began in North America – EveryWare’s home turf.
"Many UK pubs and bars still serve their craft brews in standard English pint glasses, failing to realise that different shapes can showcase the appearance or clarity of the beer, enhance the fizz and sparkle, maintain a good head, concentrate the inherent aromas or control the temperature. Demand is there – UK sales have rocketed by 79% (and 84% for draught brews) with one in four venues now stocking craft beers* – we have a range of glassware to help outlets develop the business further.”
Anchor Hocking by EveryWare has built up an extensive, bespoke range of vessels – from Barbary beer glasses to Bavarian Pilsner designs – to support the US trend. It has now brought a selection of its vast line-up to the UK to help bars and restaurants fully profit from this expanding sector.
“When it comes to selecting glassware, craft beers deserve the same care and attention as fine wines do. The craft beer market is set to evolve to a stage where glass shape will also discern the type of craft beer consumers are drinking. Pilsner, Wheat Beer, Lager and Ale all have glass shapes that enhance the drinking experience and, while it may take a long time to get to the position of education we currently hold around wine, it is coming.”
Founded in 1880, Anchor Hocking is now part of EveryWare Global, a producer of high quality tabletop and food preparation solutions for the foodservice and consumer markets and a market leader in North America.