E-Malt.com News article: UK: Pub tenants union demands stricter control over pints ‘under-filling’

Government action is needed to tackle the practice of ‘under-filling’ pints of beer which has become widespread in the industry, a pub tenants union said on December, 12.

The GMB wrote to Consumer Affairs Minister Ed Davey saying that commercial and other contracts were now based on targets which were proving impossible to meet without under-filling drinks in pubs, Shropshire Star reports.

The union claimed there was confusion over the size of foam head on a pint of beer, with a legal minimum of 95 per cent liquid being interpreted as a maximum by many pub chains.

The practice was making life difficult for tenants, whose rents and bonus payments were being fixed on yields that could not be achieved if pints were filled to 100 per cent of liquid, said the union.

Officials have urged the Government to order an urgent review of how the law on what constitutes a pint was being applied in pubs.

“We need this as GMB members who run pubs are being put under financial pressures to under-fill.”

He added: “There is a need for clarity so that when a customer orders a pint and pays for a pint, they should get a pint,” said the letter.

A barmaid at the Six Bells, at Bishop’s Castle, who has asked not to be named, said her customers always received a full pint locally.

And she said it would be difficult for publicans to try to short-change customers because weights and measures were strictly controlled.

The barmaid explained: “There are lines on glasses, clearly marking the pint measure.

“Most glasses actually hold more than a pint of beer, but there is a mark just below the rim.

“The glass is filled to the line, leaving a little space at the top for the head.”

Shrewsbury homebrew enthusiast Simon Alton said: “The beauty of brewing your own beer at home means you can fill your pint glass as many times as you like without having to get your wallet out.

“But when drinking in pubs, customers deserve a full pint.

“Beer drinkers should be getting value for money and good pubs use over-sized glasses with the pint measure clearly marked, or should always offer a top-up.”


16 December, 2011