Pubs in pint-sized ripoff: survey

A pint-sized ripoff is costing thirsty B.C. beer drinkers tens of millions of dollars annually.

A Vancouver Sun investigation of 15 pubs and bars in the city claiming to be selling “pints” of beer found that nine of the establishments — or 60% — failed to pour at or near the legal requirement of 20 imperial ounces.

The average pint purchased by the Sun cost $6.19 and the average serving size was just 17.5 ounces, equal to an overcharging of 77¢.

If all 42 million litres of draft beer consumed last year in B.C. were sold on the same basis, the consumer ripoff would total more than $50 million, and the equivalent volume of more than two Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The Sun surveyed only pubs that advertised “pint” sales on their menus or signs — or where servers verbally confirmed the sale of pints.

The law is not at all fuzzy-headed on the issue of a legal pour.

Michel Cimpaye, a spokesman for Industry Canada, explained that pubs and bars are required by the Weights and Measures Act to “deliver the quantity of commodity that they are claiming to sell.” In Canada, a “pint contains 20 ounces” and Ottawa defines the “limits of error on a pint as 0.5 ounces (about one tablespoon) above or below 20

If a gas station pumped out 750 ml, would you tolerate it?

ounces, not including the head or foam.”

Almost nothing is done to crack down on violators.

Measurements Canada does investigate consumer complaints, but the office is so little known to consumers that it fielded just one B.C. complaint about beer servings last year.

Once the federal Fairness at the Pumps Act comes into the force on Aug. 1, bars can be fined up to $2,000 for violations.

Suzanne Anton, B.C.’s attorney-general and minister of justice, refused to be interviewed by the Sun on the subject. In an email to the 1,500-member Campaign for Real Ale Society — a beer advocacy group comprised of consumers and craft brewers — she said licensees must have a list available showing drinks, drink sizes and prices. Beyond that, the provincial government’s focus is on issues such as overcrowding, serving minors, public disturbances, and illegal activities at bars, pubs and restaurants, she wrote.

“If a customer is not pleased with the service in an establishment, they have the choice of raising the issue with the licensee or taking their business to other bars or restaurants,” Ms. Anton concluded.

But that’s not good enough for Paddy Treavor, the head of Campaign for Real Ale’s advocacy committee. “If you went into a gas station and it said $1.49 a litre and they pumped out 750 millilitres for that $1.49, would you tolerate it? No. Would the government tolerate it? No. But somehow [short-pouring a beer] is OK.”