[USMA:33261] Re: What is a pint?

[Philip S Hall]

Title: What is a pint?

The answer to this and other questions about the UK pub pint can be found on this web site:   http://www.lotsa.org.uk/business/alc_measures.htm   Note that so called "brim" measures are allowed but will typically include a bit of froth anyway, so not literally filled so much with pure liquid some of it ends up on the floor between the bar and the table (depending on state of sobriety of course).   It just says the froth shouldn't be "excessive". I do know that the the DTI (Department for Trade and Industry) have looked into this with a view to pinning it down but I don't think they have been successful. If a hand pump is used (for my taste much preferred) then it is a matter of practice for the barman to get it right. You can't tell immediately anyway because the "head" is always large initially due to the effect of pouring. If it settles out to an obviously short measure then just ask and they usually top it up for you.   Phil Hall ----- Original Message ----- From: Daniel To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 11:02 AM Subject: [USMA:33257] Re: What is a pint? Do I interpret you correctly by understanding that a pint glass is a pint to the rim and not to a marked location a centimetre or so below the rim?   If a glass is designed to hold a pint of 568 mL (our US pint is only 473 mL) right up to the rim, then it really isn't a pint glass.  If you fill it to the rim with liquid, not including the froth, then don't you risk spillage?  Are the glasses you mention below, both the 500 mL and the 11 ounce (312.5 mL) measured to the rim too? If so, then how is it possible to get what you think you are getting?   The famous Hofbrau beer steins hold a litre.  I have one that my sister brought back some years ago.  The 1 L (the L looks more like a backwards J) mark is 2 cm (20 mm) from the top, but above the 1 L mark, the stein curves inward slightly.  The opening at the top is 80 mm and the height is 185 mm.  I can't seem to measure the inner diameter before the inward curve.  The stein also has a handle on it.    Would anyone in the UK really disapprove going to a 1 L glass for beer, since they would be getting over 400 mL more?  More to enjoy before needing a refill.   Dan     ----- Original Message ----- From: Pat Naughtin To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Saturday, 2005-06-18 22:42 Subject: [USMA:33254] What is a pint? on 2005-06-18 22.15, Daniel at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Why would there be a need to ban the pint?  What is wrong with allowing a > pub to sell other sizes?  Is someone afraid they may start selling litres > and if one does others may follow?  Would you buy a litre of beer if a pub > started offering it? Dear Daniel, Bill, and All, As you know I am intrigued by this issue. I simply don't understand how people in England tolerate a method of selling beer where they order a 'pint' (of 568.3 millilitres) but only receive about 500 millilitres of actual beer in their glass after you allow for the froth. They then insist that this 500 mL of beer should be called a pint. Odd! In my collection of measuring devices I have a very old half-pint glass labelled '11' meaning 11 Imperial ounces (312.5 millilitres). This glass allowed an extra ounce for the froth. However this was gradually downsized to 10 fluid ounces (284 mL) that actually provides you with about 250 mL of beer. As the pint loses its position as a government supported unit it will gradually be used just as a descriptive word meaning a container that holds about 500 mL. There is already moves being made to do this in Australia. Here is a poster from our local beer and wine shop together with, in the foreground, a four-pack of Guinness beer and a Guinness promotional glass. If you buy two of the four-packs you get a free 500 mL glass. See second pic for details of the free glass.