The 1st October 2011 was set to be an interesting date for the licensed trade in Scotland. It is the date on which various new licence conditions come into force, including the mandatory Challenge 25 condition. But now we learn that new weights and measures rules that came into force on 1 October also include the legalisation of the 2/3 pint. This is all down to the snappily titled The Weights and Measures (Specified Quantities) (Unwrapped Bread and Intoxicating Liquor) Order 2011. There are three key changes to weights and measures law: the introduction of the 2/3 pint, the legalisation of wine samples, allowing wine to sold in quantities under 75ml; and finally an update of the measures for fortified wine which will only be allowed in measures of 50ml and 70ml. There has been a backtrack on new rules for brandy, which are dropped from the final order. The 2/3 pint has had a somewhat controversial genesis in the UK. It is a measure commonly used in other parts of the world, for example in Australia (where it is often referred to as a schooner). In hotter climes the 2/3 pint is popular because the larger the measure, the more likely it will lose its chill in the sun whether such logic applies in the sun-drenched beer gardens of Scotland is of course another story! The temperature of the beer is not what Government is focusing on here of course instead it is another attempt to have us drink less. Why drink a full pint when your thirst could be quenched with a cheeky 2/3 pint instead? It should be noted, however, that the 2/3 pint is not becoming mandatory as of 1 October it will be up to the individual licence holder whether or not to stock the new glassware and offer it to customers. To read more, please visit: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12113880
