The Government has confirmed plans to let pubs sell beer in two-third pints measures.
The changes would also permit sales of wine in measures under 75ml and fortified wine in under 50ml and 70ml.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills today said it would introduce the changes in the coming Parliamentary session.
Currently, wine cannot be sold in measures less than 125ml while beer must be sold in thirds, halves or multiples of half-pints.
Science minister David Willetts said: "This is exactly the sort of unnecessary red tape the government wants to remove.
"No pub or restaurant should break the law by selling a customer a sample of wine.
"We have listened to consumers and businesses. They have called for fixed quantities to be kept but with greater flexibility. That is what this change will deliver.
"We are freeing businesses so they can innovate and create new products to meet the demands of their customers."
British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds welcomed the changes.
She said: "Choice is good for customers, and more choice over drinks sizes in pubs is something we have lobbied for over many years, and raised with the new coalition Government given its drive to remove red tape.
"While the pint remains a great British icon, the two thirds pint will give greater flexibility over how beer is served.
"This is particularly important when it comes to encouraging more women to choose beer, as many avoid the traditional pint glass. As a lower strength drink with a wide variety of styles, tastes and flavours, there is no reason why beer shouldn't be enjoyed in a wider range of measures and glass styles.
"This removes an anomaly which was just daft."
However, licensee Robert Feal-Martinez, of the Carpenters Arms in Swindon, Wiltshire, said "99% of customers could care less" about the changes.
"What worries me is that what it doesn't say is that we will probably have to have Weights & Measures-calibrated glasses. How long will it take them to add the bit about 'having to offer the measure', as they did with the 125ml wine glass."
"Why is it this industry falls for what is blatantly a back door health measure?"
In October, controversial Scottish brewer BrewDog staged a protest at Parliament featuring a four-foot five-inch dwarf to campaign for legalising the two thirds of a pint measure.
- Would your customers welcome two-third pints measures? Email john.harrington@william-reed.co.uk