Campaigners continue fight for 100 per cent liquid pint
Full pint campaigners are urging ministers to reconsider their decision to drop plans for a compulsory 100 per cent liquid pint.
Southwark Council in London and the Campaign for Real Ale claim new research shows eight out of 10 pints served are short of 100 per cent liquid and are calling for the government to act now.
But the trade has argued that with most pubs currently using brim measure glasses, a 100 per cent liquid pint would rob drinkers of the head on their beer that so many of them want.
The British Beer and Pub Association dismissed the latest research. Spokesman Mark Hastings said: "It seems somewhat spurious to review a problem against a non-existent law and the study does not address the fundamental issue which is that British consumers are happy with how their beer is served.
"Pub customers expect their beer to come with a head and as long as that head is reasonable there is no problem."
But Councillor Richard Thomas, spokesman for Southwark Council, said: "No one likes a short measure, least of all me. This is a longstanding problem that successive governments have failed to deal with.
"Local people deserve a full pint. This can only be achieved by forcing pubs to use oversize lined glasses as these can contain a full pint of liquid and a head too."
He is urging drinkers who support a 100 per cent full pint law to write to their MP.
During the council's research, pubs in Southwark, in London, were visited by Southwark Council's Trading Standards and representatives of CAMRA in order to test whether pub-goers were getting a full pint.
Ten pubs between Camberwell and Borough were visited at different times of the day and eight out of 10 pints were found to be less than 100 per cent liquid. It was also found that the shortest measures tended to be served at the busiest times, making it more awkward for consumers to ask for a top-up as barstaff had often moved on to the next customer.
The trade has vigorously objected to a mandatory 100 per cent liquid pint, claiming it would cost the industry millions in new glassware and accidental overfilling. This cost, it said, would most likely have to be met by a rise in the cost of a pint.
In March, ministers agreed and instead opted for a minimum 95 per cent with top-ups on request.
But the campaigners claim excessively frothy heads could be costing drinkers over £1m per day.
Related articles:
Licensees' 'Duckometer' guide aims to reveal short pints (17 May 2002)
Trade wins fight against 100 per cent liquid pint (18 March 2002)
