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Aries: Unique Gifts for the Fiery Beer Lover

If you are reading this blog post, then you are most certainly looking for a unique gift for the beer-lovin’ Aries in your life. And why not? Why not indeed.

A quick peek through the search engines brought me to the idea that Aries values “Comfortable clothes, taking on leadership roles, physical challenges, and individual sports.”

Well, I have something for you that fills all those buckets: The purchase of a Yard of Ale Glass and Stand. Picture your favorite Aries, in their matching sweatpants/shirt, taking command and showing their physical prowess as they challenge themselves to the individual sport of hefting a Yard of Ale and Skulling the yard down the hatch. Or, simply slowly savoring their favorite beverage from a 100% made in the USA handcrafted work of borosilicate art.

So let’s make that fantasy a reality! Purchase a Yard of Ale Glass and Stand today.

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Appearances of the Yard of Ale Glass in Historical Literature

As the astute reader of this website’s blog knows, I am invested in discovering (and publishing) the history of the Yard of Ale Glass. I make Yardies on a daily basis, and as such am contributing to the living history of the Yard Glass. (I think that’s pretty cool!) But the question often nags – when and where was the first Yard of Ale Glass made? And by whom? Considering this sends me on a quest to dig through the annals of history (aka Google searching) to find and expose these hidden truths.

One such question I posed to the machine was: What is the first known instance of a Yard of Ale in any text? I can’t promise this is the actual first, but it is the first I was able to find. The first known text mentioning a yard of ale is from 1695, in The Life and Death of Jack Wilton: A Comedy by Thomas d’Urfey. In the play, a character is described as “drinking a yard of ale”.

What is the earliest mention of a Yard of Ale? The earliest mention of a Yard of Ale can be found in a 16th-century English poem written by Thomas Nashe. The poem, entitled “The Choise of Valentines,” describes a character drinking a “Yerde of Ale.” And wow, what a poem it is! Scandalous at the time, filled with references you would not want to publish on a family blog such as this one. And in the 16th century no less! I’ll leave you to read the text of that one.

Now, there is a definite caveat to this post – specifically, the “Yard of Ale” may not have been referring to a glass, but a measurement. For example, a yard of ale might have meant simply 3 beers, or a specific amount not based on glassware. I will explore that in a future post, but for now, I hope you enjoyed this edition of Yard Glass history.

Follow this link to Purchase a Yard of Ale Glass. Cheers!

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Scorpio: Gifts for the November Beer Lover

Well, it’s November 22nd, and it’s time to… Wait a minute… Scorpio season is over you say? It only runs until November 21st you say?

Well, I say Fi! To that. You know, like they did in the middle ages, when someone said something nonsensical, you would simply reply “Fi!” and give a dismissing wave. (Some encounters were a lot more civil in those days – others, not so much)

But let’s not forget about the Cusp Scorpios, those for whom November 21st is not the be-all-end-all of Scorpio season, but merely a suggestion of the end yet to come. And this post is for those scorpions. Specifically, those who enjoy a cold brewed beverage from a very large glass.

So, you ask, what would be a good gift for the Beer loving Scorpio? Well, Scorpios embody and radiate a soulful intensity – to them, following a path with heart is the only way to live life. Focusing this intensity toward connecting with friends and loved ones yields the best outcomes for those of this sign.

And what, you ask, is a good way for these scorpions to connect with friends and loved ones? Over a cold glass of beer. Specifically, a Yard of Ale! Consuming a yard glass of beer with a scorpio has many advantages over a simple pint glass. One, it’s a lot bigger! That means a lot more time drinking and connecting with friends and loved ones. Ok, you may say, but what are some other reasons?

Alas, that is the mystery for you to explore! Simply purchase a Yard of Ale Glass for your beloved Scorpio (or, well, anyone else) by clicking on the link here. Give the gift of connection!

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Libra: Gifts for the October Birthday Beer Lover

The crisp autumn air, the changing colors of the leaves, football on Saturdays and Sundays – Yes, it’s that time of year again – Libra season. If you know Libras, they are social, fun people, who enjoy working hard and playing hard. Their lives are about balance – symbolized by the image of the Scales.

What could be a better gift for the beer loving libra in your life, rather than a Yard of Ale Glass and Stand? In terms of balance, nothing beats consuming beer in large quantities instead of smaller servings. Why? A pint of beer weighs about 1 pound. My Yard of Ale glasses hold about 3 pints, approx 48 ounces, or 3 pounds. Now, the glass itself weighs 2 or 3 lbs. The wooden stand, which holds the glass, is a couple of pounds.

With these numbers in mind, think of the caloric burn! Sure, you’re drinking calories, but by lifting heavy glasses full of beer, you are also burning calories! And building muscle. That’s why a Yard of Ale Glass and Stand, made by yours truly, is the perfect gift for the discerning Libra. It is the very embodiment of balance – working hard, while playing hard.

Want to buy that special Libra in your life something they will treasure forever, and honor their commitment to balance and harmony? Click here and get it done.

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Skulling the Yard

When I first began making Yard of Ale Glasses, I knew nothing of the accompanying ceremony involved in Yardie consumption. I certainly didn’t know about “Skulling.”

Now, across the pond (both ponds, as Yard culture is big in both the UK and Australia), Skulling is something that is practiced as both a celebration and a rite of passage. What it means, is, essentially, chugging the Yard of Ale. I look at it as “Taking it to the head,” or “Skull,” hence the name “Skulling.” (This may not be the exact origin, but I think it sounds pretty good. Google may be able to confirm or deny these allegations).

Basically, when someone turns 21, a rite of passage event would be to skull a full Yard of Ale. Better than doing 21 shots or some of the nonsense we Americans engage in, but it is, alas, still binge drinking. But hey! It’s a pretty glass, and only a couple of beers in there, so no harm no foul.

I may or may not have skulled a yard, which may or may not have involved spilling good beer all over my shirt. Apparently, there is a good technique where you slowly rotate the glass to minimize bumps and soakings along the way. I will provide this technique in a future post!

Finally, there is a Guinness record for skulling a yard, which is apparently 5 seconds, according to Wikipedia. That seems a decent goal to which one may aspire.

In the meantime, here is a link to Gordon Ramsay, famed nice person, taking a yard to the head

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-tl4Km1l7E

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The History of the Yard of Ale, Part 1

As someone who makes Yards of Ale Glasses, I feel it is important to know the history of this unique and formidable piece of drinkware.

I will start this journey using the most immediate resource available to me; the internet, or specifically, Wikipedia.

According to the oracle:

“The glass most likely originated in 17th-century England, where the glass was known also as a “long glass”, a “Cambridge yard (glass)” and an “ell glass”.[5] Such a glass was a testament to the glassblower‘s skill as much as the drinker’s. John Evelyn records in his Diary the formal yet festive drinking of a yard of ale toast to James II at Bromley in Kent (now southeast London), 1685. “

Ok, so we have our first mention of the Yard of Ale glass in 1685 in Kent, to toast King James II. This shall be the first entry in our living history of the Yard of Ale. I am wagering on my internet sleuthing ability to find an earlier date or signpost, or at least something interesting to add to the conversation. If not, I will skull a Yard of Ale.

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Hello world!

Thanks for checking out the new site for my glass work. I will be writing and updating this blog with pictures of work, including historical and custom Yard of Ale glasses I have made over the years.

I am also interesting in the history of the Yard of Ale Glass, beer science, glassblowing, wine, and other random topics which may or may not be glass related.

Thanks for reading!

-David