First, Kate Middleton ditched a horse and carriage for a car as she planned her April royal wedding to Prince William, heir to the British throne.
Now, in a further blow to local history and tradition, Her Majesty's government plans to introduce a foreign rival to the iconic British pint of beer.
British politicians announced this week they will pass laws offering a new glass size to pubs that would allow beer drinkers to choose a schooner, equal to two-thirds of a pint.
A standard size used in parts of Australia, the schooner will now challenge the popularity of the pint and its smaller alternative, the half-pint.
Britain's government claimed the new size is in response to changing trade practices and consumer tastes.
British pub owners welcomed the move, claiming it would make drinking venues more appealing for women.
While the pint remains a great British icon, the two-thirds pint will give greater flexibility over how beer is served, said Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, which represents big brewers such as Anheuser-Busch and Heineken.
This is particularly important when it comes to getting more women to choose beer, as many avoid the traditional pint glass.
But not all drinkers are happy.
The Campaign for Real Ale, an advocacy group for beer drinkers, claimed thirsty Brits don't want change.
The majority of British beer drinkers will always want their beer served in a traditional pint glass, said CAMRA spokesman Tony Jerome.
We also already have the half-pint and third of a pint, so we do not see there is a demand for a two-third pint glass.
I have never been in a pub where someone thinks a half a pint is not enough and a pint is too much. This new measure could also confuse the consumer into thinking they are being underserved.
It will also be harder for people to track how much they have drunk and, therefore, drink responsibly.
Link: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/07/brits-traditional-pint-of-beer-faces-a-smaller-rival-the-schoo/
Now, in a further blow to local history and tradition, Her Majesty's government plans to introduce a foreign rival to the iconic British pint of beer.
British politicians announced this week they will pass laws offering a new glass size to pubs that would allow beer drinkers to choose a schooner, equal to two-thirds of a pint.
A standard size used in parts of Australia, the schooner will now challenge the popularity of the pint and its smaller alternative, the half-pint.
Britain's government claimed the new size is in response to changing trade practices and consumer tastes.
British pub owners welcomed the move, claiming it would make drinking venues more appealing for women.
While the pint remains a great British icon, the two-thirds pint will give greater flexibility over how beer is served, said Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, which represents big brewers such as Anheuser-Busch and Heineken.
This is particularly important when it comes to getting more women to choose beer, as many avoid the traditional pint glass.
But not all drinkers are happy.
The Campaign for Real Ale, an advocacy group for beer drinkers, claimed thirsty Brits don't want change.
The majority of British beer drinkers will always want their beer served in a traditional pint glass, said CAMRA spokesman Tony Jerome.
We also already have the half-pint and third of a pint, so we do not see there is a demand for a two-third pint glass.
I have never been in a pub where someone thinks a half a pint is not enough and a pint is too much. This new measure could also confuse the consumer into thinking they are being underserved.
It will also be harder for people to track how much they have drunk and, therefore, drink responsibly.
Link: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/07/brits-traditional-pint-of-beer-faces-a-smaller-rival-the-schoo/
