Would lined beer glasses solve the pint problem?
It is sometimes claimed by opponents of the metric system that any interference with “the British working man’s pint” would spell political death for any party that dared to touch it. Leaving aside the sexist assumptions behind the claim, let us examine whether there is a practical solution that need not be controversial. Firstly, let it be said that it is not the beer itself that we are talking about – but simply the size of the glass in which draught (but not bottled) beer is served. Secondly, the purpose of any regulation should be that customers get what they pay for – that is, the full amount (however measured) that they have ordered. The current position is that draught beer and cider must be dispensed in amounts of one pint (imperial – not US), or a half or a third of a pint. Metered dispensers are rarely used, and the glasses in which beer is normally served may be either brim measures – that is, the glass must be completely full to the brim, or the glass may have a lined mark
