Sir Kenneth Grange's new glass, the Kenneth. Image courtesy of Camden Town Brewery

Sir Kenneth Grange reshapes the British beer glass

The acclaimed designer combines two distinct drinking vessels into one contemporary, pint-sized classic

The British designer Sir Kenneth Grange shaped Britain's 20th century work environment. Founding the world-famous Pentagram design agency with one time Phaidon Creative Director Alan Fletcher in 1972, Grange created everything from Parker pens to parking meters, the Anglepoise lamp to the Intercity 125 train.

In 1997, he retired from Pentagram, yet he continues to work, albeit in a more leisurely manner. Over a drink at The Horsehoe pub in North London, Sir Kenneth began developing the idea for a new pint glass. 

 

Sir Kenneth with his new glass
Sir Kenneth with his new glass

The Horeshoe is the home of Camden Town Brewery, and Grange – following a commission from landlord and brewery founder Jasper Cuppaidge – combined an angled, faceted helles beer stein with a tall, slender pilsner glass to create this handsome, simple, contemporary drinking vessel. The new hybrid, which Camden Town Brewery have christened the Kenneth, will be used to serve the brewer's Camden Hells lager at bars across Britain, and will be accompanied by a squatter, rounder, though equally lovely glass, the Jack, which is the work of Grange's friend and fellow London designer, Jack Smith of SmithMatthias Ltd.  

 

The Kenneth and the Jack
The Kenneth and the Jack

British beer lovers, you have two handsome new partners. For more on product design get Mass Production; for more on beer order our forthcoming title, Where to Drink Beer. I you want some food with that, get Food & Beer.