Should We Shrink the Pint? A Study Suggests Smaller Beer Serves Could Improve Public Health
Should We Shrink the Pint? A Study Suggests Smaller Beer Serves Could Improve Public Health
A pint of Guinness served at a pub.
Recent research sparked debate last week when it suggested that reducing the standard beer size in pubs from a pint to two-thirds could benefit public health. But is the pint really the problem?
Smaller Serves, Smaller Consumption?
Headlines like “Woke scientists want to shrink your PINT!” blew up after a study replaced pint glasses with two-thirds servings in several English pubs. The result? Beer sales dropped by nearly 10%. Researchers concluded that if this were implemented nationwide, it could reduce alcohol consumption and help combat obesity.
However, not everyone is on board. The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) quickly pushed back. Camra’s chair, Ash Corbett-Collins, noted that less than 1% of the venues approached for the study agreed to trial smaller measures, and none of the 12 pubs that participated chose to keep the changes. “The verdict from publicans is clear,” Corbett-Collins stated.
A Study That Few Wanted
The study, led by Dr. Eleni Mantzari of the University of Cambridge, faced challenges from the start. Of the more than 1,700 pubs asked to take part, only 13 agreed. Even Dr. Mantzari admitted, “I was surprised we were able to run the study at all.” She noted the deep cultural connection to the pint, adding, “People don’t want to mess with the pint!”
This resistance is echoed by beer author Pete Brown, who was furious when he heard about the study. “Pubs are already struggling. As if we don’t have enough problems, now they want to take away our pints!” he said.
The Pint’s Place in British Culture
The British pint is more than just a measure of beer; it’s a cultural icon. As Sophie Atherton, Britain’s first female beer sommelier, explains, “The pint is a quintessentially British thing, bound with the institution of the pub.” For many, the pint is a symbol of British life, not just a drink size.
Brown adds that asking someone for a pint is about more than consuming alcohol—it’s a social connection. “It’s not just ‘Let’s drink’; it’s ‘Let’s spend time together,’” he explains.
Is the Pint Too Big?
Despite its cultural importance, some argue that the pint is one of the largest beer measures worldwide. In hotter countries like Australia and Spain, smaller servings are the norm. Even in colder nations, beer servings tend to be smaller. Germany’s famous litre steins are one of the few exceptions to Britain’s 568ml pint.
For beer lovers like Brown and Atherton, the pint’s size perfectly matches the strength of traditional British beers, which typically range from 3.5% to 4.5% ABV. “A pint allows you to drink slowly and enjoy your time at the pub,” says Brown. Stronger beers, particularly those from craft breweries, are a different story—smaller sizes like two-thirds or one-third glasses are becoming more common for these higher ABV brews.
Does Serving Size Affect Drinking Habits?
Mantzari’s study aimed to find out if reducing beer serve sizes could reduce overall alcohol consumption, drawing parallels with portion sizes in food. However, while smaller portions may reduce food consumption, the reaction to smaller beer sizes was mixed. Some pub patrons complained, especially older men in venues outside London, but the complaints eventually subsided.
Beer Consumption: The UK in Context
Interestingly, despite the large pint size, the UK ranks only 28th in global beer consumption, with an average of 66.8 litres per capita annually. By comparison, the Czech Republic tops the list at 140.1 litres. In Spain, where the much smaller caña (200ml) is popular, per capita consumption still exceeds the UK at 81.2 litres.
The Bigger Picture: Alcohol and Public Health
While the debate over the pint continues, some see it as part of a broader conversation about alcohol-related harm. Brown, whose younger brother passed away due to alcoholism, acknowledges the dangers of excessive drinking but believes the pint itself is not the issue. Atherton agrees, arguing that cheap supermarket alcohol, not the pint, is more likely to lead to unhealthy drinking habits.
Will the Pint Survive?
Despite the discussions around reducing serve sizes, most experts agree that the pint is here to stay. As Mantzari points out, there is no government push to enforce smaller beer sizes, and the pint remains a beloved staple of British pub culture.
Even with the rise of craft beers and stronger brews, the pint’s symbolic and practical value endures. “I always come back to the pint,” says Brown, who sees it as part of the British way of life.
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