'Tis the season to feel guilty

So, we're drinking a third more than the Office for National Stats had thought. They've come to this conclusion through changing the goalposts. Predictably, the drinks industry is not best pleased.

How to calculate the extent of your drinking problem? Here's a simple guide:

As well as the increased strength, the wine glasses used in bars are often larger than the original 125ml measure. A survey carried out in March found that the average size of a glass of wine was 169ml, the ONS report says. All future ONS surveys will ask respondents about wine glass sizes.

The ONS has also updated its estimates of the alcoholic strength of beers, lagers and ciders. A small 125ml glass will count as 1.5 units of alcohol, rather than one, while a medium 175ml glass will count as two units and a large 250ml glass as three units. Until wine glass size data are available, the ONS will assume that one glass of wine equals two units. Half pints of beer, lager and cider will still count as one unit of alcohol. But small and large cans should be increased to 1.5 units and two units respectively, the ONS said. Strong beers of 6.5 per cent will be assessed as two units for a small can and a half pint, while a large can will count as three units.

Um, thanks, The Times. That clears it all up then. Westmonster will definitely be remembering all that on the next night out.

Click over here for Celia Walden's thesis on why we all drink so much. Damn those clever Manhattan women!

Written by Westmonster on 14 Dec 2007 9:24 AM. Permalink