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Box of 36
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BBP
In Stock
Polycarbonate American Hi Ball Glasses | Half Pint Glasses | CE Marked 285ml | BBP U408
£124.59
/ exc vat
£149.51/ inc vat
- Virtually Unbreakable Polycarbonate
- CE Marked at Half Pint
- Commercial Glasswasher Safe
- Classic American Hi-Ball Design
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Product Overview
Finding glassware that stands up to the rigours of a bustling British pub or event can be a real headache. Introducing the BBP Polycarbonate American Hi Ball Glasses – your new best friend for serving drinks safely and stylishly. Made from incredibly tough, crystal-clear polycarbonate, these glasses look the part but won't shatter on impact, making them an essential for any high-traffic environment.
Designed specifically for pubs, outdoor caterers, festival bars, and poolside service, these half pint glasses are a smart solution for any business looking to reduce replacement costs and improve safety. They feel substantial in the hand, offer a classic American hi-ball look, and give both you and your customers complete peace of mind, especially where broken glass is a definite no-go.
With the all-important CE mark for a legal half-pint pour and the convenience of being fully glasswasher safe, these reusable glasses are built for the real world. They are the practical, cost-effective, and safe alternative to traditional glassware that your business has been waiting for. It’s the savvy choice for serving smarter.
Key Features and Benefits
- Virtually Unbreakable Polycarbonate: Drastically reduces costly breakages and replacement orders.
- CE Marked at Half Pint: Guarantees a legally accurate pour for licensed premises.
- Commercial Glasswasher Safe: Makes for a super quick and easy cleanup service.
- Classic American Hi-Ball Design: Offers a timeless, professional look your customers will love.
- Crystal Clear Finish: Provides the look and feel of real glass, enhancing presentation.
- Lightweight and Easy to Handle: Less tiring for staff to carry on trays.
- Reusable & Eco-Conscious: A fantastic long-term investment that reduces landfill waste.
- Excellent Stackability: Saves precious back-bar and storage space when not in use.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: BBP
- SKU: U408
- Pack Quantity: 36
- Capacity (CE Marked): 10oz / 285ml (UK Half Pint)
- Capacity (to Brim): 12oz / 340ml
- Dimensions: 144(H) x 79(Ø)mm
- Box Weight: 4.83kg
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Colour: Clear
- Features: Glasswasher Safe, Reusable
Expert Review and Insights
The move towards high-quality polycarbonate glasses has been one of the most practical shifts in the pub trade. These BBP hi-balls hit that perfect sweet spot – they’ve got the classic look customers expect, but with a toughness that finance managers and safety officers will celebrate. They’re a no-brainer for beer gardens and busy weekend nights.
Freddie Wallace – Pub Equipment Expert View Profile →
- Real-World Toughness: These genuinely stand up to being dropped and heavy use.
- Potential Scuffing: Can show fine scratches over time with very abrasive cleaning.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The Queen's Head, a popular riverside pub in York, was constantly dealing with breakages in their busy beer garden, leading to safety concerns and high replacement costs. They switched to the BBP Polycarbonate Hi-Balls ahead of the summer season.
"We were losing dozens of glasses a week to accidents on the patio. Switching to these polycarbonates was brilliant. They look the part, the staff find them easy to handle, and our glassware bill has plummeted. Customers have even commented on what a good idea they are."
Robert Finch – General Manager
The pub reduced its glassware replacement costs by over 90% in the first three months of use, and completely eliminated glass-related incidents in their outdoor area.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Before the first use, always run the new glasses through a full cycle in your commercial glasswasher to ensure they are perfectly clean and sanitised.
- Stack them rim-downwards on your gantry or under-bar shelving. This keeps the rims clean and ready for immediate service.
- Brief your team on the benefits – they're lighter to carry and safer to handle, which is great news for them!
Keeping It Going
- To maintain their crystal-clear appearance, avoid using abrasive green scouring pads or harsh chemical cleaners.
- Always use a suitable glasswasher detergent and rinse aid. This prevents build-up and water spots, especially in hard water areas.
- Although incredibly durable, check for any deep scratches or discolouration over time and rotate older glasses out of front-of-house service.
- Polycarbonate is not suitable for hot beverages, so keep them for serving your best cold drinks only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these glasses completely unbreakable?
A: They are 'virtually' unbreakable, which means they are designed to withstand being dropped on hard surfaces without shattering like glass. They are incredibly tough and ideal for commercial use.
Q: How can you tell they aren't real glass?
A: Visually, it's very difficult! They have a high-quality, crystal-clear finish that mimics real glass exceptionally well. The main difference you'll notice is their much lighter weight.
Q: What exactly does the 'CE Marked' stamp mean?
A: It's a certification stamp that proves the glass holds a legal measure (in this case, a half pint). This is a legal requirement for selling draught beer and cider in licensed UK venues.
Q: Can I use these for hot drinks like coffee or tea?
A: No, these polycarbonate glasses are designed and tested for cold drinks only. High temperatures can damage the material.
Q: Do they stack well to save space?
A: Yes, the classic American Hi-Ball design allows for neat stacking, which is a huge help for saving valuable storage space behind a busy bar.
Q: How many unbreakable glasses come in one pack?
A: These are sold in a trade pack, with a box quantity of 36 glasses.
Q: Will they go cloudy in the dishwasher over time?
A: With proper care using non-abrasive detergents and a good rinse aid, they maintain their clarity for a very long time. Like all polycarbonate, very heavy, extended use can eventually cause minor clouding.
Q: Is the capacity exactly a half pint?
A: Yes, they are CE Marked at the line for a legal half pint (285ml). The total capacity right to the brim is slightly larger, at 340ml.
The BBP Promise: Practicality for the Modern British Venue
BBP understands the real-world pressures of the UK hospitality trade. This isn't just a product; it's an operational solution. These polycarbonate glasses are designed to solve multiple problems at once: the financial drain from constant breakages, the serious safety and liability concerns of shattered glass (especially in beer gardens, at festivals, or in late-night venues), and the critical legal requirement for accurate measures. Choosing BBP is a strategic business decision. It leads to fewer clean-ups and incidents for staff, reduced annual overheads on stock, and consistent, compliant service your customers can trust. This is drinkware engineered not just to hold a beverage, but to support the smooth, safe, and profitable running of your business, day in and day out.
Explore more from BBPWhat Does 'CE Marked' Actually Mean for Your Bar?
You'll see 'CE Marked' on lots of products, but on glassware, it has a very specific and important legal meaning. It stands for 'Conformité Européenne' and that little stamp on the side of the glass is your guarantee to Trading Standards that it holds a precise, government-approved measure – in this case, a half pint (285ml). It's a legal requirement for selling draught beer, cider, and lager by the glass in the UK.
Think of it like the MOT for your car, but for glassware. It proves you're pouring a fair, legal measure every single time, protecting both your business from fines and your customers from being short-changed. It takes all the guesswork out of a free-pour, ensuring complete consistency and compliance, which is especially vital when you have new or busy staff members working a hectic shift.
Who Should Buy This?
- Busy Pubs & Beer Gardens: Perfect for high-volume service where safety is paramount, especially during big matches or on sunny afternoons.
- Event Caterers & Mobile Bars: Lightweight and unbreakable, they're ideal for transport and use at weddings, festivals, and corporate functions.
- Hotels & Leisure Centres: A safe glassware choice for poolside bars, spas, and any area where broken glass is a serious hazard.
- Nightclubs & Live Music Venues: Meets licensing requirements for shatterproof drinkware in crowded spaces without compromising on style.
Find equipment tailored to your type of business:
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Stock your venue with these virtually unbreakable Polycarbonate American Hi Ball Glasses today and say goodbye to the cost and hazard of breakages for good!