Council cracks down on short pints

April 14, 2008: Somerset County Council’s trading standards officers will be looking out for the interests of drinkers this summer at festivals and pubs across the county, making sure they get the pint they’ve paid for.

The most recent trading standards survey in the South West found that nearly one in five pints were served with a head that was more than the industry guideline maximum of 5% of the total – and some were as high as 10%.

Trading standards routinely inspects pubs and other licensed premises, checking that the pint glasses used are giving the customer the right amount. They will be looking out for verification marks such as the crown stamp mark, ‘M’ or ‘CE’ markings, which are required by law.

Festivals and events where glass isn’t used because of safety issues will be checked too, to make sure that either verified plastic or paper cups or beer measuring instruments are being used.

Cllr Jim Mochnacz, Somerset County Council’s portfolio holder for community safety, said: “Somerset County Council’s trading standards team is constantly working to protect consumer interests. Along with investigating rogue traders and making sure your food is safe to eat, checking you are getting the amount you pay for is another excellent example of how we do this.”

Mike Benner, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “UK beer drinkers are short changed by £1.3m a day by being served short measured pints. Most licensees serve a full pint so let's root out those who for one reason or another don't.

"The Government could, of course, help solve the situation by legislating that a pint of beer should be just that — a full 100% liquid 20 fluid ounces.”