Smaller pints won't work in Irish pubs as the larger glass is "part of our culture", a publican has said.

It comes after a study in the UK examined the impact on beer sales if the pint-size glass option was removed.

The largest serving size available was two-thirds of a pint.

The study found that removing the pint for draught beer "reduced the volume of beer sold."

"Given the potential of this intervention to reduce alcohol consumption, it merits consideration in alcohol control policies," it suggests.

Reports say researchers asked more than 1,700 venues to take part in the study and managed to persuade just 13.

Galway publican Damien Ryan told Moncrieff he doesn't think such an approach would work here.

"In Ireland I think probably it's the culture here," he said.

"I'd say [that] we're going for a pint - you're not going to say, 'I'm going to go over a few drinks'.

"It's a different culture we live in.

"When I was in Cologne a few years ago, they actually don't have the pint over there - I think it's just under the half litre as well.

"In countries that have decent weather it's probably nicer to have a cold beer and a smaller beer and you can enjoy it a bit more."

A man carrying pint glasses, 26-2-21. Image: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Mr Ryan said people want to get value for money.

"Consumers are looking for value for money, they're looking for that experience as well.

"I'd notice now the last couple of years people want to spend a bit more on premium stuff but they're drinking less.

"If you're going out for dinner you want a good wine, you want good food and you want that experience."

'Regular punters'

Mr Ryan said regular customers also wouldn't want to see a change.

"At the other side of things you have the regular punters that you're doing the local trade for," he said.

"It'll be a testing time for them, I'd say, if you challenge them to a lesser pint.

"Especially in the pub trade with the increase on the [price of a] pint the place over the last number of years.

"You get the bit of stick from the locals for the first week but after the first week they're still going to buy the pint anyway".

He added that the plan "could be a goer" but that it all depends on where a pub is based.

The study was conducted between February and May 2023 in 13 licensed premises in England.

Listen back here:

Main image: Empty pints of Guinness in Dublin city centre, 24-12-20. Image: Sam Boal/Rollingews.ie