Camra attack on short pints
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has repeated its calls for pubs to serve a full liquid-measure pint to drinkers. The real-ale group claims that one in four pints served is less than 95% full, costing customers £481m every year.
A recent survey of 25 local trading standards departments revealed 26.6% of all pints are more than 5% short.
Camra this week called on Government to honour a 1997 election promise to legislate against short-measure serving.
For the first time in its
35-year history, the group has taken out advertisements in the national media to highlight this "unfair practice".
It has launched a petition urging consumers to call on Government to ensure that a pint will not be less than 100% liquid.
Camra chief executive Mike Benner said: "It is time the Government met its promise and made sure pub-goers get the full pint they pay for
every time.
"I urge beer drinkers who are fed up with being ripped off at the bar to sign Camra's 'Take It To The Top' petition."
Lager and cider drinkers were also being short-changed, he claimed.
Current guidelines state that at least 95% of a pint measure should be liquid.
Federation of Licensed Victuallers CEO Tony Payne said enforcement would cost the industry millions of pounds, as new over-measure lined glasses would have to be introduced.
"Somebody will have to pay the bill and drinkers can either stick with what they have now or pay a higher price for their beer.
"They have the right to ask for a top-up," Payne argued.
TRADE PERSPECTIVE ON PERENNIAL FULL LIQUID PINT debate
The issue of the full liquid pint has swirled around the trade for 25 years, but successive governments have failed to legislate.
JD Wetherspoon was actually forced to abandon over-sized glasses eight years ago following complaints by drinkers.
Operations director Nathan Wall said: "It cost us a couple of million pounds to change the glasses.
"We thought it would be a big success for us, but it was a disaster.
"Customers suspected they had not been sold a full pint because the beer was pulled up to the line and did not fill the entire glass - there was a very negative reaction."
Marston's Inns & Taverns ditched over-measure lined glasses five years ago because it gained little support from the trade.
"We spent years petitioning for full liquid pints, but failed to get any momentum going," said managing director Derek Andrew.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said the issue was of no interest to the general public.
A Government review 18 months ago decided against changes.
"Customers know full well they can get topped up if they are not happy about the amount they have been served," said BBPA director Dr Martin Rawlings.
