Is this the end of the pint? Experts calling time on the imperial pour and say smaller beer glasses are better for Brits
The British pint could be under threat as scientists are urging boozers to downsize their glasses - as they battle to reduce the countrys alcohol intake.
The British pint could be under threat as scientists are urging boozers to downsize their glasses - as they battle to reduce the countrys alcohol intake.
Beer-bashing boffins axed full-sized drinks in a study of drinkers - and found they bought 10 per cent less when they were served measures that were two thirds of the size they are used to.
And the analytical killjoys now say the scheme should be rolled out across the country as part of licensing legislation, as they say the effects would have a meaningful impact on public health on a population level.
Brits drink beer through one of the largest standard serving sizes in the world, with the imperial pint almost a third bigger than its American cousin.
At 568ml, the trusty pint also outweighs the standard serving size in Belgium (250ml), France (330ml) and even Germany (500ml).
Beer-bashing boffins axed full-sized drinks in a study of drinkers - and found they bought 10 per cent less when they were served measures that were two thirds of the size they are used to. Pictured: File image
Brits drink beer through one of the largest standard serving sizes in the world, with the imperial pint almost a third bigger than its American cousin. Pictured: File image
But fears of the affect alcohol may be having on the UK has sparked fears for health experts - with the Institute for Public Policy Research suggesting that UK deaths attributable to alcohol have risen by seven per cent in five years.
Latest NHS figures show that 23 per cent of women aged 55-64 drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week — the amount known to dramatically increase cancer risk, and chances of developing dependency.
The study’s senior author, Professor Dame Theresa Marteau, told The Times: We’ve got increasing harm from alcohol. It contributes to increased risk from seven different cancers, and it’s also a contributor to the gap in life expectancy and health between the richest and the poorest.
She added that reducing the size of a pint could have an effect on the health of the population by just reducing by a small amount the alcohol that they’re consuming.
The study, which took place over four weeks, saw a dozen UK pubs and bars selling their beers in two thirds of a pint. The price punters paid was proportionate to the reduced size.
They found the amount of the hoppy beverage they consumed was cut by a tenth - and customers did not complain about the new measures.
The amount of wine slightly that was bought slightly increased as the size of beer glasses reduced, but when its largest serving was also taken away landlords said consumption also dropped by about eight per cent.
But - as less than one per cent of approached pubs agreed to take part in the experiment - Professor Dame Marteau added that the measures would need to be part of licensing regulation to make sure people complied.
