Thousands of pub patrons in Australia might be paying for drinks that are smaller than advertised, according to a recent government report.
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) discovered that 30% of the licensed venues they checked didn’t serve the correct drink sizes to customers. This was revealed through undercover inspections.
In October, officials visited 436 establishments across the country, conducting “secret shopper” trial purchases to verify the accuracy of every pot, schooner, middie, pint, nip, shot, and glass sold by measure.
Following these inspections, 130 non-compliance notices were issued, primarily due to the use of incorrect glassware and issues with spillage.
However, the NMI report highlights that most pubs, around 70%, were indeed serving the right drink sizes to their customers.
“The findings indicate a generally good level of compliance, with 84% of measuring instruments found to be accurate and 68% of trial purchases meeting the correct volume,” the report stated.
The major shortcomings at non-compliant venues were inaccurate or unverified instruments, unapproved glassware or simple measures and pillage during pouring, meaning customers got less than they paid for.
Sydney publican Brian McGettigan says the findings show some industry “rogue operators” were ripping off customers.
“The hotels industry by and far does an amazing job for customers and ensuring the training is right and the pints and the schooners and the wines are all poured correctly,” he told Today this morning.
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