June 11, 2008
Beware the shrinking beer
Let us not mince words. The economy is making buying just about everything extremely painful. The prices of a gallon of gas and gallon of milk are frighteningly close.
If you've been checking out the series we're running this week you know Mainers are looking everywhere they can to cut corners.
But of all the places we've had to be vigilant against signs of the "Econolypse" - the pump, the grocery store - now we've got to add the bar to that list?
Earlier this week the Wall Street Journal had a ground-breaking report on rising beer prices and shrinking portions from the tap.
"Some restaurants have replaced 16-ounce pint glasses with 14 ouncers -- a type of glassware one bartender called a 'falsie.'
And customers are complaining that bartenders are increasingly putting less than 16 ounces of beer in a pint glass, filling up the extra space with foam."
Around these parts it's no surprise that beer prices have gone up. Maine has a fair share of microbreweries and craft beer houses that were feeling the pain last year.
But with the combined increases in the cost of what it takes to make and transport beer, now, you may not be getting the full pint you overpaid for. (The article points out that in some cases wine drinkers may also want to be on the look out.)
While the Journal article goes to point out how national chain restaurants have gotten creative with their beer taps, they're not alone.
Jeff Alworth a beer blogger and trouble maker in the other Portland quoted in the article has decided to fight back. Over on his blog "Beervana" he's started a petition to keep bartenders honest. The "Honest Pint Petition" asks the Oregon Department of Agriculture to "create a program to authenticate glassware used in bars and restaurants as an honest 16-ounce pint."
This begs the question, anyone seeing anything fishy around these parts? Funny glasses at Sebago Brewing? Foam overload at the Great Lost Bear?
I should point out that I'm not making any accusations, just simply asking the question that could be on a lot of people's minds.
Is this bar trickery? Bad business tactics? An assault on the freedom of beer drinkers everywhere?
Sound off!
Posted by at 11:54 AM
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I couldn't decide whether to cry or pass out when I saw a Gritty's six pack for 9.49 at the grocery store this week. This will seriously cut into my support of all the great local breweries.
I have yet to see a shady pint anywhere in town but with costs going up like this it is only a matter of time.....(I hope I am wrong in thinking that)
Posted by ac
June 11, 2008 02:25 PM
Here's a good event to get together and talk about it:
http://beeradvocate.com/events/info/18817
Posted by
June 11, 2008 02:58 PM
drink pbr
Posted by rd
June 11, 2008 05:25 PM
Don't forget beer drinkers have to fun healthcare with an increase in a new sin tax...
Posted by Josh
June 11, 2008 09:19 PM
@Josh: cry me a river. You have the choice between paying a few more cents (cents!) for your beer and sugar water or denying a low-income child health care, and you're going to b*tch about it. Mighty big you.
Posted by
JimJune 11, 2008 09:33 PM
I have been a bartender for 25 years. When someone asks for a "pint" of beer they mean an Imperial pint which is 20 US ounces. That is the standard size, like a Guiness glass. The other standard size of pub beer glass is 14 oz. For years they have been sold as 16 oz. They are and always have been 14 oz. This is nothing new and has nothing to do with gas prices and inflation.
Posted by
GlennJune 12, 2008 09:46 AM
Sorry about the multiple posts.
So in actuality if you order a "pint" of beer you should be getting an English pub glass that holds an Imperial pint or 19.2 US ounces to be exact.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pint_glass
Posted by
GlennJune 12, 2008 09:59 AM
great thing for me is i am right now still a student in austria, and i buy my pints of canned beer at the local grocery for between 39cents (maerzen) and 49cents (kuehles blondes) also get a half liter of Stiegel in the vending machine for EUR1.10. drink on!
Posted by
nathanJune 12, 2008 10:53 AM
oh sorry, there are no "pints" the cans are also a half liter. (just checked)
;)
Posted by
nathanJune 12, 2008 10:57 AM
I'm delighted to see you pick this up. Honest pints for all!
Posted by
Jeff AlworthJune 12, 2008 03:09 PM
The article on pint-short pours was great. You should look at the new invention called the “Piaget Beer Gauge” being sold at
http://thebeergauge.com
This inexpensive credit-card size device is designed to insure you do not get short poured at a bar. The website was launched about 1˝ years ago.
Enjoy the website. The story of the origins of the “beer gauge” is funny and there are a lot of beer quotes there. Also, the story of why the name “Piaget” is interesting.
Posted by
ChrisJune 19, 2008 12:09 AM
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