Take it to the Top — and no short measures

April 18, 2007: One in four pints in the UK are served less than 95% full, costing beer drinkers £481 million a year.

That's the conclusion from a new survey by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which has launched a nationwide petition calling for the Government to end short measures, as it promised to do a decade ago.

For the first time in its 35 year history, CAMRA has taken out advertisements in the national media in order to let consumers know how to make a stand against this unfair practice.

The CAMRA survey of local authorities’ trading standards departments revealed:

l 26.6% of all pints served are over 5% short measure. The worst example found was 13% short of a full pint. 76% of pubgoers want the Government to stick to its promise to ensure drinkers get a full pint.

l Beer drinkers lose £1.3 million every day by paying for a full pint but receiving less than 100% liquid in the glass.

Labour had made an election promise to legislate against short measures in 1997. This promise has not been fulfilled and has cost the consumer £4.5 billion over the last decade, says CAMRA.

CAMRA has set up a petition for consumers calling for the Government to introduce legislation that a pint will not be less than 100% liquid. As well as being online at www.takeittothetop.co.uk, copies of the petition will be at CAMRA beer festivals across the UK. Petition postcards will be sent out to the group's 85,000 strong membership nationwide to sign.

CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner said: “This is not just a problem that affects real ale drinkers. Lager drinkers and cider drinkers are being short changed too.

"It is time the Government met its promise and made sure pubgoers get the full pint that they pay for every time. I would urge all beer drinkers that are fed up with being ripped off at the bar to sign CAMRA’s Take it to the Top petition and help us make a difference.”