Publick House's Deceptive Pouring

Discussion in 'New England' started by tun875, Jul 7, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 5
  1. tun875

    tun875 Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2009 California

    I had a crazy experience at Publick House yesterday regarding their pour sizes. I've seen the threads on here denouncing the state of the Boston beer scene when certain beer bars charge $9 for a 25cl pour. I think that it's a sneaky move (many customers probably don't know that 25 cl is only 8.4 oz)...although I guess at least it's clearly labeled on the menu, so it's buyer-beware :stuck_out_tongue:

    But at Publick House, they are clearly labeling the beers on the menu as 12 oz, but both times I received beers filled precisely to the 25 cl mark. Since this isn't the first time it's happened, I actually brought it up to the waiter after my first beer, an Allagash Interlude. He didn't seem too dismayed or apologetic, and didn't really understand or care that my $9 beer was missing 1/3 of its promised deliciously sour contents, so I guess I should have taken that as a bad omen.

    Nevertheless, I ordered another beer, this time the same beer my spouse had just ordered and received in a 33cl glass, and mine arrived again in a 25 cl glass. Since the waiter never materialized, my spouse brought it to the bartender, who claimed that the 12oz size refers to the size of the empty glass, not the liquid inside it. My spouse pointed out that they should label the menu with the liquid volume, not the size of the empty glass, and the bartender said that would be too "confusing" for customers. He also pointed out that when you order a pint, the liquid line isn't at the 16oz line, but rather there's some head at the top. Fair point, I thought, except that:

    (a) The pint glass is filled to the top, and some head is inevitable (and indeed, preferred). Each of the tulips I ordered had a solid 1/2 to 1 inch of air at the top, since they clearly poured to the 25cl line and not to "the top of the glass",

    (b) My Interlude arrived in the small Allagash-branded glass with a 25cl pour line near the top, meaning the empty glass can't possibly hold more than 10 oz, and

    (c) The first of the beers we had ordered literally came in a 33cl glass, and the second of the same in the 25cl glass--which was either a "fuck you" to me for complaining, or they are just randomly passing off small beers without caring about consistency.

    The bartender didn't budge, and the waiter didn't do anything besides sheepishly shrug and say that it was strange, of course he'd talk to the manager. Given his ambivalence, I assume he's gotten called out on it before, and nothing changes. It's crazy when you order $9 and $10 beers and get 2/3 the expected beer--that's $3 per beer they're gaining on the side.

    We've been going to Publick House for years, and I feel positive that this is a new development. Has anyone else had this experience, there or anywhere else? I feel like it's important to call someone out on it when it happens--it would be a bummer if this "the menu refers to the empty glass" mentality spreads throughout Boston as the $9 median beer seems to have.

    Though for what it's worth, we walked to Deep Ellum where we enjoyed their awesomely curated beer menu, with every beer arriving at pour line promised by the menu...so the day wasn't a total bust.
     
    #1 tun875, Jul 7, 2013
    OtisCampbell likes this.
  2. brownswisscow

    brownswisscow Crusader (476) Feb 9, 2012 Vermont

    #2 brownswisscow, Jul 7, 2013
    OtisCampbell and Clonies720 like this.
  3. Auror

    Auror Pooh-Bah (1,641) Jan 1, 2010 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    It's one thing to not list a size and then to discover it's a small pour, but entirely something else to list a size and not pour what you are advertising. Disappointing.
     
    #3 Auror, Jul 7, 2013
  4. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    That's too bad however I'm not shocked. There's a reason that Provisions and Roadhouse/AmericanCraft didn't make it, and it all starts at the top. I'd be surprised if you get a customer-centered, non-defensive response from management, if any response at all.
     
    #4 RedMedicine, Jul 7, 2013
    OtisCampbell, BleepBloopBlap and hudsonvalleyslim like this.
  5. Horbar

    Horbar Pooh-Bah (1,593) Feb 24, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah

    I have noted this and will never visit this establishment. Thanks for the heads up. I never want to go anywhere that treats customers like that. Also, you should report them to the Better Business Bureau.
     
    #5 Horbar, Jul 7, 2013
  6. pjl44

    pjl44 Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2008 Massachusetts

    Did you ask to speak with a manager? If not, it might be your best move to do so in the next day or two and relay your concerns. If you're still not satisfied after speaking with them, politely let them know you intend to take your money elsewhere and why. It sounds as if you're cool with other options (Deep Ellum, etc.) and at least you'll have said your piece.
     
    #6 pjl44, Jul 7, 2013
    OtisCampbell, FrankLloydMike, moaner and 1 other person like this.
  7. tun875

    tun875 Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2009 California

    Thanks all for the info and for the concurrence--glad to know I wasn't out of line in thinking this is BS, and probably should have held my ground more firmly when I was there. I was taken so off-guard that they were so argumentative that I didn't ask to speak to a manager, but I will send them an email (though it sounds like I should not be surprised if I receive a defensive response back), and I'll look into a more official complaint!
     
    #7 tun875, Jul 7, 2013
    OtisCampbell likes this.
  8. darkandhoppy

    darkandhoppy Savant (1,099) Dec 26, 2008 Connecticut

    that's pretty lame all around. when you got the bill, you should've said "that's just the size of the bill. it doesnt reflect what I'm actually going to give you" Or....to the waiter "your 33% tip was included in the bill"

    thanks for letting me know to avoid the Publick House
     
    #8 darkandhoppy, Jul 7, 2013
    OtisCampbell, hudsonvalleyslim, bryanole27 and 2 others like this.
  9. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Publick House has fallen behind in my opinion. When asked, I tell outsiders the best beer bars in/around Boston are Deep Ellum and Lord Hobo. This is based strictly on who has the best offerings, nothing to do with price though. It's disappointing if they're serving beers in this manner in addition to not having the best draft lists.
     
    #9 AlcahueteJ, Jul 7, 2013
  10. bleakies

    bleakies Maven (1,355) Apr 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    The response that the ounce listings are in reference to the glass it's served in is hilarious.

    For just three dollars more, you can get your 8.4 ozs of beer in a boot glass!
     
    #10 bleakies, Jul 7, 2013
    sandman3479, RedMedicine, Horbar and 2 others like this.
  11. pjl44

    pjl44 Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2008 Massachusetts

    For others, I wouldn't write The Publick House off based on one review. The OP's critique seems level-headed and to have points, but there's another side to the story that we're missing. I've never had anything short of a great experience in any of the times I've visited. Hopefully this can get resolved to the OP's satisfaction.
     
    #11 pjl44, Jul 7, 2013
    FrankLloydMike and Drucifer like this.
  12. Horbar

    Horbar Pooh-Bah (1,593) Feb 24, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah

    The only thing missing here is about 4oz of beer!!
     
    #12 Horbar, Jul 7, 2013
    Denoas, Drucifer, sandman3479 and 4 others like this.
  13. pjl44

    pjl44 Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2008 Massachusetts


    Ha. I will say that if all of this is accurate, that's pretty rough:

     
    #13 pjl44, Jul 7, 2013
  14. Sesmu

    Sesmu Pundit (768) Feb 28, 2007 Massachusetts

    You should've asked what prevents them from filling only half a glass then? :slight_smile: As long as the glass' size is as advertised, they can fill any amount they feel like... and no confusion for the customers :grinning:
     
    #14 Sesmu, Jul 7, 2013
    RedMedicine likes this.
  15. tun875

    tun875 Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2009 California

    Fair enough, and good to give the benefit of the doubt! I'll update if I get a response from management. And either way, if people go back in the future, they can take note of whether the problem persists :slight_smile:
     
    #15 tun875, Jul 7, 2013
    FrankLloydMike, Horbar and pjl44 like this.
  16. jaxon53

    jaxon53 Pooh-Bah (2,235) Mar 1, 2006 Connecticut
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for the heads up, I have heard this story elsewhere. Somebody else has complained about short pours at the Publick House, so it almost sounds to me like common practice. I'll take my hard earned money to the competition...
     
    #16 jaxon53, Jul 7, 2013
    Horbar likes this.
  17. drocpsu

    drocpsu Zealot (613) Dec 25, 2006 New Hampshire

    That's pretty crappy and would really bother me. If I lived in Boston, I'd stop going there.
     
    #17 drocpsu, Jul 7, 2013
  18. Horbar

    Horbar Pooh-Bah (1,593) Feb 24, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah

    If their 12oz pours are only about 8.3oz, I wonder what size their pint pours are??? Lol

    They should promote a 32oz draft special, just think of profits that could be had.
     
    #18 Horbar, Jul 8, 2013
  19. GreenMtnMike

    GreenMtnMike Initiate (0) May 30, 2013 Pennsylvania

    As mentioned, the idea that you are advertising the size of the glass is beyond absurd. If you order a glass of wine in most nice restaurants it's not uncommon to receive a 5 oz pour in a 22oz glass, but then that is how it's advertised! The only thing causing confusion is to say you are advertising anything other than the amount of liquid included for the price.
     
    #19 GreenMtnMike, Jul 8, 2013
  20. HighLowJack

    HighLowJack Savant (1,230) Jun 5, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    "it's the size of the glass" would be the funniest thing I've ever heard if it wasn't also so depressingly shady
     
    #20 HighLowJack, Jul 8, 2013
    Horbar likes this.
Page 1 of 5
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.