A recent study from the UK suggests that reducing the size of beer glasses could help lower excessive drinking. Researchers conducted a trial at a dozen pubs, bars, and restaurants, replacing traditional pint glasses with smaller two-thirds pint glasses.
Published in the journal PLOS Medicine, the study found that beer sales dropped by 9.7% during the trial. The researchers believe this change could significantly benefit public health by reducing alcohol-related harm.
In the United States, excessive alcohol use leads to over 178,000 deaths each year, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). This makes alcohol one of the top preventable causes of death.
A British pint, or Imperial pint, holds 20 fluid ounces, while an American pint contains 16 ounces—already about 20% smaller. Professor Dame Theresa Marteau, the study’s lead author and director of the Behavior and Health Research Unit at the University of Cambridge, highlighted the health risks associated with alcohol consumption. She stated, “Alcohol harms our health, increasing the risk of injury and various diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers.”
Marteau emphasized that reducing serving sizes could encourage healthier drinking habits. “While we may all enjoy a drink, the less we drink, the better our health,” she said.
The trial aimed to demonstrate that people tend to think in terms of servings rather than specific measurements. For example, they are more likely to order one beer rather than consider its volume in milliliters.
A previous trial involving wine also showed a decrease in sales when larger glass sizes were eliminated. In this recent study, bars were asked to offer two-thirds pint glasses as the largest option for four weeks, with control periods before and after the intervention.
While the change led to a decrease in beer sales, it did result in an increase in wine sales. The researchers reported no complaints from customers, although only 13 venues participated in the trial due to reluctance among other establishments.
Matt Beety, owner of one participating venue, noted a shift in customer preferences toward smaller drinks. Most customers accepted the new rules, with only a few questioning the absence of pints.
The authors concluded that reducing the availability of pints aligns with existing research suggesting smaller serving sizes can help decrease alcohol consumption. However, they acknowledged the need for further studies to understand whether individuals compensate for less beer by consuming other alcoholic beverages.
