Returning a pint of beer

apsiloritis

mynameisdave wrote: »

Unless you could demonstrate that it was off/sour/bad then its down to their goodwill, and it sounds like they don't think the scenario is worthy of a refund/replacement

As I understand it, we "did not accept" the goods. Then the onus (The Sale And Supply of Goods To Consumers Regulations) is on the vendor to prove that they were absolutely OK.

I think the "reasonable" thing to do--in the case of our opinion vs theirs--would be to offer a suitable alternative (I agree that I am not happy to drink there again, but this could be a replacement bottled beer). At the end of the day, we were not trying to make a profit out of this event.

BTW, I think that--perversely--under licensing laws I would NOT have been able to retain a sample to take away for analysis or second opinion. They are licensed for sale for consumption ONLY ON the premises.

wealdroam

apsiloritis wrote: »

I think the "reasonable" thing to do--in the case of our opinion vs theirs--would be to offer a suitable alternative (I agree that I am not happy to drink there again, but this could be a replacement bottled beer). At the end of the day, we were not trying to make a profit out of this event.

BTW, I think that--perversely--under licensing laws I would NOT have been able to retain a sample to take away for analysis or second opinion. They are licensed for sale for consumption ONLY ON the premises.

And what are you planning to do with this "replacement bottled beer"?

You have already told us that you are "not happy to drink there again".

You also said "They are licensed for sale for consumption ONLY ON the premises".

That leaves you with yet another problem, doesn't it?

I would respectfully suggest that the reasonable thing for you to do would be to forget the whole episode.

halibut2209

mynameisdave

apsiloritis wrote: »

I agree that I am not happy to drink there again

And that is your best solution. Don't give them any more money. Take your custom elsewhere. For the sake of £2-£5 depending on where and what you were drinking will cost them income and save yourself the time and bother of pursuing what is likely to be a fruitless chase.

gik

apsiloritis wrote: »

As I understand it, we "did not accept" the goods. Then the onus (The Sale And Supply of Goods To Consumers Regulations) is on the vendor to prove that they were absolutely OK.

I think the "reasonable" thing to do--in the case of our opinion vs theirs--would be to offer a suitable alternative (I agree that I am not happy to drink there again, but this could be a replacement bottled beer). At the end of the day, we were not trying to make a profit out of this event.

BTW, I think that--perversely--under licensing laws I would NOT have been able to retain a sample to take away for analysis or second opinion. They are licensed for sale for consumption ONLY ON the premises.

I'm sure I've bought a 'carry out' over the bar in years past at the end of the night. Did they not used to like a mini 4 pint keg thing that they filled? Certainly have bought bottles of spirits over the bar.

Stoke

I worked in a pub when I first turned 18. Our policy was to offer a replacement as opposed to refund, although I personally would have refunded if it was obvious the customer was immediately dissatisfied. If someone came back after half a pint and said "oh I don't like this" then I would have told them sling their hook.

For our real ales, we had small tester glasses and would offer a free sample to anyone who asked. This mostly helped with people a bit unsure and minimized unhappy customers.

If you're a regular, the best thing is to take your business elsewhere

pmduk

mynameisdave wrote: »

And that is your best solution. Don't give them any more money. Take your custom elsewhere. For the sake of £2-£5 depending on where and what you were drinking will cost them income and save yourself the time and bother of pursuing what is likely to be a fruitless chase.

And additionally post your experience on the review sites, if it's a chain somebody might take notice for the future

InsideInsurance

Had a bad pint the other day, think its my first one ever. Went to the bar and they immediately offered to change it to something else before even tasting it themselves and said they'd bring it over to the table.

A couple of minutes later they came over and said all their beers were tasting bad so they think something went wrong with the line cleaning they'd done overnight and offered to replace the pint with two bottles at no extra charge - though subsequent drinks would be charged at actual price

Never worked in a pub but would have thought you tested the beer after cleaning the lines to make sure its all ok but evidently not.

To the OP - your rights with beer is the same as any other product you buy in store. You are entitled to reject the goods if they are defective and the onus is on the merchant to prove they werent defective.

Obviously in the real world enforcing your rights is difficult if the merchant rejects your claim that they are defective. If it was a more substantial product then you'd retain it, get it tested to prove the defect by an expert and then return and litigate if they still dont accept it. For the sake of a pint though just chalk it up as an experience and vote with your wallet

rustyboy21

Have had a few dodgy pints over the years and have never had an issue swapping them for something different.


Maybe issue has been the way you have spoken to the landlord/staff OP.


It is no skin off their nose to swap over a dodgy pint, there is always extra in the keg, above and beyond what they have paid the brewery for. This is so they can pump it enough to clear the pipes.

NiallB

rustyboy21 wrote: »

Have had a few dodgy pints over the years.

That used to be my excuse too...