Landlords bitter over pint ruling

The traditional pint of beer is about to change for the bigger - sparking a dispute between pub owners and the Government.

In one of the more populist moves by New Labour, Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers is ordering landlords to cut down on froth and serve a full pint. "Frothy beers" will no longer be allowed to have up to five per cent of gassy, bubbly head on top of the pint.

Under Government proposals that for once really will have them talking in pubs and clubs across the land, bitters and ales will be served in bigger glasses with "pint lines" on the side to ensure a full measure.

So far so good. Even drinkers who like a nice head on their pint will be kept happy as there will be room for the froth. But the pub trade claims it will spell disaster for local boozers and cause massive problems for bars and drinkers alike.

Not only will customers have to wait longer for their pint to be poured to the exact line, but they will also pay more. Mark Hastings of the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association said: "A bigger pint will cost more and that cost will be passed on to the customer. "Meanwhile, pubs will have to pick up additional costs in terms of new glasses, training and extra red tape. "Not only will the effects be damaging but they are pointless. How exactly are they going to define a 'frothy beer'? What next? People going around coffee shops measuring the froth on a cappuccino?"

Estimates by the BLRA claim it will cost the industry some £500million at a time when it is having to deal with business-wide red tape such as the Working Time Directive and disability access legislation.

For some time the pub trade has had a code of practice that pints must be at least 95 per cent measures. If Government proposals see the light of day, and every indication is that they will after a three-month consultation period, all licensed premises will be forced by law to serve a "full pint".

All beers except "southern lagers and ciders" would have to be 100 per cent liquid on inspection, although in practice a few discrepancies would be allowed by trading standards officers.

The DTI claims it has the will of the people - or 32 million beer drinkers at least - on its side. Some 84 per cent of those asked backed a Private Members Bill on the same issue when it tried and failed to go through the Commons two years ago.

A department spokeswoman denied that it will cost pubs huge amounts. She said: "A proposed two-year phasing-in period would allow pubs to buy over-sized glasses when a glass is broken."