Hello again
I wanted to find out what you readers think about many pubs and bars - especially ones part of a chain - refusal to serve beers of a certain strength to anyone in measures of a pint or even sometimes, in two thirds?
Just to point out, I can assure you that I know and have discussed this with a number of persons who currently work behind bars in Sheffield and whom have their own opinions and reasons - so whilst I find it frustrating - and sometimes nonsensical - I do at least understand the logic applied - which I will try and set out below.
The principal reasoning seems to be based on managers/owners and staff being concerned - and knowledgable of - the affect that large quantities of beer at 8, 9 or 10%, often has. A good example being a guy who said he wasnt happy serving pints of 8% cider, because cider affects drinkers differently, and is well known for "removing the legs". I also realise that this does not apply to all cider drinkers, however.......
Sadly - and I would hope not in my personal case - am aware that pints of drinks such as DIPAs and TIPAs in such circumstances can also cause people to become argumentative and in some cases aggressive. In which case, clearly, the employer needs to consider the safety of their employees. And then, one could also argue that being blithely assessed as being unable to acceptably handle a strong ale, could in itself contribute to argumentative behaviour of the customer?
I am well aware that I sometimes unwisely choose to drink one too many strong drinks but am fully confident that I would accurately be assessed as being capable or not of supping another pint - which is why the automatic restriction on purchases is needlessly frustrating - arguably because that assessment is not always accurate.
Am not in anyway criticsing bar staff either - as a regular last Friday before Christmas drinker I have seen many completely inexcusable behaviours towards persons just doing their jobs, which is unacceptable. However, arguably, the introduction of these pre arranged measures could be putting staff at unnecessary risk, whilst simultaneously annoying customers at the same time.
I would be happy to hear from readers what they think about this practice in pubs and bars in the Uk?
Yours, respectfully,
Wee Beefy
The people who work in bars have a responisibility not to serve alcohol to someone who is intoxicated. That's a difficult call, and there's likely a tendancy to be lenient rather than overly restrictive.
ReplyDeleteBut this also means they have to consider what might be the consequences of serving someone who might be a little bit in between competent and stocious. I saw this handled very nicely in a pub somewhere on my travels, when a fellow walked in towards closing time and asked for something strong - maybe a double whisky, I can't remember. The lass behind the bar assessed the situation and said that she thought he'd probably had enough for the night, and how about she let him have a half of bitter and then he went home to bed.
I think this might be what the servers you have in mind are wary of with these high alcohol beers and ciders. They're too easy to drink for the strength they hold. The person asking for a pint of Old Tom or one of your DIPAs at 8% might be fine right now, even though he's had a few, but add that much alcohol in the next 30 minutes and he could be anything. And if he falls over and bashes his head, or picks a fight and the police are called, it could be the loss of a job, a livelihood and the pub too, quite possibly.
But they don't want to totally reject the customer (unless obviously already incapable) so they offer a smaller version of the strong drink. I think it's a reasonable compromise. It's about encouraging responsible drinking.
Hey mate - many thanks for your response. Weirdly, since I posted this, a friend who has a personal license said virtually the same - they also warned me of the penalties awaiting those not trying to avoid the consequences, and thereby not avoiding the possible outcomes (apologies for any inaccuracies in this report) So in short, you are right.
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