The discussion on whether it would be better for beer drinkers to consume their beverage in pint or two thirds glasses is rumbling on.
The question was raised by a University of Cambridge research project, although given the very small amount of pubs involved the research hardly sustains the publicity. In fact the same researchers suggested people drink smaller measures of wine earlier in the year. They can also be found writing about it on the Institute of Alcohol Studies site. For those unaware the IAS is the modern incarnation of historic temperance campaigns.
If the message is that people should drink less or not all that is a perfectly reasonable point. Not all will agree but its an important discussion.
Tim Martin of Wetherspoons has of course weighed in describing two-third or schooner measures as silly. He notes they are widely used in Australia without any obvious impact on the amount drunk and that if adopted in the UK would likely drive people out of pubs to drinking in the uncontrolled environment of home drinking. On this Sir Tim is right.
The reality is though that Wetherspoons doesnt usually sell beers that lend themselves to two-thirds or even a one-third measure. That is, for example, double IPAs, imperial stouts and sours. These are for sipping not quaffing in pints. On the other hand if stopping at a bar after a walk a pint of Pilsner is just the thing.
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