The 1913 “Hugo” British Pint Glass for Beer and Ale, 2-Piece Set (Gift Box Collection)

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THEM:  In September of 1913, Hugo Pick of Albert Pick & Co. finalised a design for a new style of pint glass, a triumph of smart, time-tested design.  Its signature bulge was engineered to reduce chipping, improve grip, stack neatly, and clean easily—practical benefits that made it a pub favorite for more than a century. Simple, durable, and instantly familiar, it’s a no-nonsense pint glass that feels right in the hand and looks right on the table, proving that the best designs don’t need to change to endure.

Premium Gift Box Set:  Offered in a Gift Box Set of 2, these glasses are timeless, designed not for display but for everyday use—engineered to reduce chipping and breakage when glasses clink, tip, or stack. There is a quiet beauty in a beer glass designed not to impress, but to work—balanced in the hand, durable by necessity, and perfected by generations of use.

Practical and Versatile:  The Hugo pint glass is a variation of the standard pint glass distinguished by a bulge or ridge near the top of the glass, just below the rim.  The ridge protects the rim of the glass from chipping if the glass is tipped or falls: the bulge takes the impact, not the rim.  The bulge prevents stacking portions of the glass from forming a suction seal, so glasses can be stacked and unstacked more easily (important in busy bars).  While some glass shapes are specialised for certain beer styles or aroma retention, the Hugo is relatively general-purpose and highly adopted for everyday service. 

Origins & Invention:  The design was patented in the U.S. by Hugo Pick (of Albert Pick & Co.) in the early 20th century for a “drinking glass rendered-less readily breakable when accidentally tipped over and in which the rim is protected against chipping when a number of the glasses are collected in the hand.”

Why the Design Matters:  Dimensions: 3 1/8-inches (T) x 2 1/2-inches (B) x 5 5/8-inches (H), 16 ounce capacity. Designed to withstand the rigors of professional bar service, these dishwasher-safe glasses meet professional bar standards of durability.  The ridge means when the glass is knocked over or the rim falls onto a hard surface, the bulge takes most of the impact, reducing chipping. Without the ridge, straight pint glasses may form suction when stacked and stick together; that can slow down service or pose breakage risk. 

Unconditional 100% Quality and Satisfaction Guarantee:  Since 1997, History Company has specialized in extraordinary products inspired by history and authenticity, where ‘Every Gift Holds a Story,’ and where you are sure to find the perfect item for keeping or giving.

The Glass with a Past.

It was born in the unruly democracy of the English pub—where elbows flew, laughter spilled, and ordinary glasses met an early grave. Something sturdier was required. Enter the bulged ring. A signature bulge, engineered to absorb impact, defy chips, and survive the nightly clatter of a working bar. Conceived in 1913 by Hugo Pick of Albert Pick & Co., it was a small innovation with global consequences. Bartenders could stack them. Wash them. Clear tables faster. Glassmakers could sleep at night.

For more than a century, it has been a visual constant in the great sport of beer, raised in victory, slammed in frustration, toasted in friendship. Functional, yes. Practical, absolutely. But also historic. Honest. Earned. Every serious beer drinker knows—some glasses are just vessels. This one is tradition, weight, and memory in your hand.

The 1913 “Hugo” British Pint Glass is offered in a Gift Box Set of 2, for keeping or giving.