The Beer Revolution has been busy the last few days and hasn't updated the blog. Apologies.
Now here's a crazy idea and I've a feeling it won't be very popular but it kinda makes sense to me.
Nobody seems to disagree that we have a problem with alcohol in this country. This is a subject that TBR will discuss periodically. We have a problem with under age drinking and with binge drinking.
What people can't seem to agree on is what measures to take, if any, to tackle this problem.
It is my belief that what is needed is a paradigm shift in the relationship with alcohol and the manner in which it is consumed. There is no quick fix solution. You cannot change the habits of a large sector of the population overnight. No single measure will cure the problem. A somewhat more holistic approach is needed.
My, possibly unpopular, idea is not a cure for Ireland's drinking problems, it is simply one of many possible measures (I may discuss more in the future) which may help to slowly change the drinking culture.
Here goes; I want the standard, most commonly used measure for beer to be the half pint. I don't want the pint banned - I simply don't want the default measure to be the pint. It seems that the easiest way to influence people's behaviour is to hit their pockets.
Currently most bars charge more for two half pints than for one pint. I simply wish to reverse this trend. This could be done with a tax imposed on larger measures but as I suspect the unpopularity of this scheme of mine already, I don't wish to exacerbate the situation by adding more tax onto alcohol. Passing legislation that ensures a pint costs, for example, 20c more than two half pints would probably do the trick (let the publicans do the maths).
But why do this?
Because of our 'pint' culture, there seems to be a machoism associated with the larger measure - it's not considered 'manly' for a man to drink halves and conversely considered unladylike for women to drink pints. Let's move on from this place, folks.
If people habitually drank glasses, I believe, there would be a more social focus on drinking rather than a quantity focus. Rounds become cheaper and less intimidating and people would be more inclined to drop out if they've had enough, not having forked out a fortune for their round. The notion of 'one for the road' is less harmful. Something similar could be done with spirits.
I don't naively think this will reduce peoples drinking significantly - what I'm after is a subtle and gradual change to our habits. Most European countries typically serve beer in 25 - 30cl glasses. Anyone ever been to Cologne? Their local beer style, Kolsch is served in 20cl glasses - in Germany! Almost everyone looks to a more 'European' style of drinking.
Is there anything worse than a flat, dead pint of stout, than a warm, headless lager. Drink small, stay fresh! Have as many as you see fit, drink pints if you want to pay the difference - the choice would be yours. 'Can I buy you a glass?' That won't break the bank!
I tentatively publish this post awaiting the backlash.
P.S. I'm not crazy about the standard half pint glass, there are many other designs to choose from.
My last drink was; Maradsous Bruin 8%abv 33cl.
5 comments:
I don't see this as a bad idea at all, but the most likely scenario is that the average punter would tear through half pints at a rate of knots. I agree with you on the design of the Irish half pint glass. I am not macho in the least when it comes to drink, but I don't like the half glass used in Ireland. While in Edinburgh the other week I had a great many halves as I worked my way through the real ales on offer, and the style of their half glass is far less conspicuous. There is no way most Irish men will happily drink from the effeminate, slender glass that is favored by publicans over here.
Like the idea. Always enjoyed the leisurely glass on the continent, be it 200ml or 250ml, whatever. With a pint, you've always got in mind the fact that it's going to go flat, going to get warm, or both.
Also, the practice of charging the same (or in some cases, more) for a bottle of the same beer that's available on tap simply has to go. This does not promote sensible drinking; quite the opposite.
dude this would never work. and i mean never. this is wrong on so many levels i don't know where to begin. but i will try.
from the point of view of the:
1.)student: (s)he will order two half pints and one empty pint glass. what happens next is obvious.
2.) well-off person: will not care about 20 or 50 cent.
3.) bar manager/owner: couldn't be bothered with the extra work and cost associated with serving and cleaning the extra glases needed to make serving mostly half pints worthwhile.(S)he will just take the cost of a pint - under new taxes, and charge 60% of that for a half pint - regardless. (S)he will get away with this because nobody cares enough about half pints to complain.
i empathise with you. i see where you are coming from and i completly agree with you that ireland has a drink problem and that something has to be done about it.
however, your suggestion is probably the the worst thing that could be done.
your suggestion penalises publicans. if it becomes more expensive to buy a pint in a pub, more people will buy off-lisence.
the majority of alcohol misuse comes from alcohol purchased in off-licences.
in my opinion, firstly, children need to be better educated (from the age of 10 - 12 upward) of the risks associated with mis-use of alcohol. this needs to be completly honnest in order to work. there is no point in telling kids lies that all alcohol usage is bad and should never be done. children should firstly be told that alcohol should only be consumed in the presence of a 'guardian'/adult. they should then be taught of the dangers of over consumption of alcohol and the effects that even minimal quantities of alcohol has on the human body (see drink driving).
however, what precedes this is parenting. these days many parents let their kids run wild. kids well under 16 years of age can be seen involved in anti-social behaviour in almost every town in ireland. something should be done about this. parents should be held accountable for the actions of their children. it is not right that every week the same kids are out on the streets causing trouble while their parents are at home, not knowing where their children are.
to finish up, this is big problem in society. its roots and implications are far reaching. i agree with you that there is no one solution. however, i do feel that something more meaningful and realistic should be done than decreasing the tax on half-pints.
(and i haven't even mentioned drugs yet)
homerjay540@hotmail.com
If the publican faces severe penalties, they will comply.
I don't agree that it will penalise publicans or,if implemented properly, will increase the cost of drink in pubs.
I do agree with your points on education - I just hadn't gotten to that yet.
I'm not sure that off licence alcohol causes more problems than on sales, both need tackling. Probably offie sales are more of an underage problem.
As I said, that was just one idea of many that are probably necessary.
Thanks for taking the time for such a lengthy reply.
I'd love to hear some evidence on how "the majority of alcohol misuse comes from alcohol purchased in off-licences", because it really sounds like groundless vintners' propaganda to me.
Certainly the alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour on our city streets results from the on-trade, not the off licences. People fight outside pubs and clubs, not their homes.
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