A FULL PINT AT LAST TRADING STANDARDS officers in North Yorkshire are toasting a long-awaited announcement which should ensure that at long last people get their fair measure of a pint of beer. Whether a measured pint of beer should include the froth or not has been a vexed question for more than 30 years ever since it was decided that a pint of Guinness included a creamy white head as without it Guinness would not be the drink which everyone knew. That decision was later extended to include all draught beers although the size of the head had to be within reason. Various attempts to resolve the matter have failed. Although there is a code of practice within the brewing industry which indicates that a head equivalent to a five per cent deficiency is acceptable, trading standards surveys have, in all too many cases, shown that this guideline is often flouted. Now an announcement by Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry aims to ensure that people get their fair measure of a pint of beer. Stuart Pudney, head of trading standards and regulatory services in North Yorkshire, said: "By using larger glasses licensees can serve a full measure pint of liquid and still have room for a head on top. "Licensees who use glasses which hold exactly one pint to the top are taking an unfair advantage of customers. With beer selling at £2 a pint, a deficiency of only five per cent is equivalent to an extra 10p, and a 10 per cent deficiency amounts to 20p. "We welcome the announcement by the Secretary of State which should, once and for all, settle the argument as to what constitutes a pint of beer." 28-12-'00
Derek Smith on 01423-530199 |
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