The glasses used in most pubs measure a pint to the brim, so where does the head go? In order to satisfy the desire for a head, some of the beer has to be left out, meaning you have been short measured. Trading Standards Officers report that most pints are served with 5 to 10 per cent froth.

Fifteen years ago, not far short of half the pubs selling real ale used electric metered dispense and oversize glasses. The number has steadily fallen as they have swapped over to hand-pumps, which give an unambiguous symbol of real ale on the bar. This change is inevitably accompanied by a switch to brim-measure glasses, but never a price cut.

There is also evidence that some pub operators have adopted a deliberate policy of serving short measurers to get 5% more out of every barrel. If we did this at Scottish Real Ale Festival you would be overcharged by 15 pence on a £2.00 pint.

To remedy this problem, MP Dennis Turner introduced a private members bill to ensure that a pint of beer was exactly that, a pint. It gained widespread all-party support. Unfortunately it was derailed by maverick Tory MP Eric Forth shouting "Object!" at every opportunity. Full pint legislation has been promised by government ministers, but so far without any results. CAMRA will make sure pressure is maintained to ensure that drinkers get fair measures as soon as possible.