Do you « fancy a two thirds » or do you « fancy a pint » ?

« Let’s go for a pint », « fancy a pint », « let’s discuss this over a pint », such typical phrases in the UK, « going for a pint » means more than just drinking a measure of beer – it is a social get together which can last a whole evening.

The pint – a British Imperial measure – equalling 20 fluid ounces, 568 ml, 20% larger than the American pint. A pint is an eighth of a gallon ! We learnt all these measures when at school, of course the metric system is in operation too now.

In France a 250ml measure of beer is a « demi » - a half – meaning half a pint. The word comes from old French and has Latin origins. Indeed a pint is quite a large quantity to drink so one can make it last quite some time, usually it is the men who have a pint and the women opting for a « half’.

Now scientists are trying out a new measure of beer – the two thirds, 379 ml, – in an effort to get people to drink less. « Fancy a two thirds ? » doesn’t have quite the same flow as « fancy a pint » ? After the trial in some pubs and restaurant the researchers found that the sale of beer dropped by 10% - not a huge amount but it could help with people’s health.

Too much alcohol causes deaths and leads to obesity. Bar owners felt that not using the pint was like losing a part of British culture, like tea time ! The British pint came into being in 1698 so it is a long standing habit. Making alcohol more expensive would be very unpopular so this trial was to try out a alternative to help slow down drinkers. The idea is that people have a set number of drinks, for example, 2 beers, rather than the volume of beer , so making these drinks smaller should make people drink less.

The venues had few complaints from their customers but none who took part in the experiment wish to continue. The pint is such an integral part of pub culture, but perhaps it is time to enjoy the quality rather than the quantity. Pubs are already finding it hard to continue, many are closing ad the pint and the pub are a part of the British culture for visitors who feel the need to experience them.

Beer is a long drink, you can take your time, it is good value and British beer isn’t strong, you can have a chat, read the newspaper, spend a couple of hours over your pint. Surprsingly the UK is only 28th in the global league of the biggest beer drinkers. The argument is that it is the availability of cheap alcohol in the supermarkets which encourages unhealthy drinking.

The government isn’t keen to introduce legislation to « ban the pint » so it looks like the pint is safe and here to stay !