The federal government is cracking down on bars that advertise a pint of beer but fail to pour a full 20 ounces of suds — and most of those tested by the Star are coming up short.

Of the 15 downtown Toronto establishments the Star visited, only three poured a full 20 ounces (the official size of an imperial pint) of draught beer. Several came close, at around 18 ounces, while others were as much as six ounces off.

Measurement Canada’s Fairness at the Pumps act, introduced last month, says businesses serving a pint that contains less than 19.5 ounces of liquid (head doesn’t count) can face fines ranging from $250 to $2,000.

“The agency investigates complaints of suspected inaccurate measurement and institutes corrective action where necessary,” said Stéfanie Power, a spokeswoman with Industry Canada, via email.

The Star visited a variety of watering holes advertising pints, from chains to small taverns, to check up. To measure, the Star ordered a pint of beer and poured it into a 20-ounce measuring cup, letting the foam settle before noting where the liquid stopped.

Those that didn’t measure up cited as reasons the popularity of branded glassware that typically holds less than 20 ounces, and the fact the government measure doesn’t include head.

Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery in St. Lawrence Market didn’t have a menu available last Friday, but an order of a pint of Delirium Belgian beer yielded a meager 14-ounce beverage.

“They made a mistake,” said Tilted Kilt franchise owner Patrick Murphy. “They should’ve said we serve it in a 14-oz glass.”

Delirium’s 8.5 per cent alcohol content accounts for its small serving size, said Murphy.

The Strath Pub uses 20-ounce glasses but manager Tony Cutrone said not all of that can be liquid: “You have to reserve two ounces for the head of the beer.”

Foam adds to the aroma and overall tasting experience, Cutrone said, suggesting the onus is on breweries to provide larger glassware.

Pint glasses from Steamwhistle, Vancouver’s Granville Island Brewing and Molson Coors all max out at 20 ounces. Dinetz, a wholesaler that services the GTA restaurant industry, carries 22- and 24-ounce pint glasses, but staff say those aren’t popular.

Granville Island Brewing brand manager Jamie Bennett said the company values shape — a curve results in better taste — over volume, but would consider a glass that had markings showing the 20-ounce line, plus room for foam.

“I think that’s a great idea, and it’s very topical,” he said. “Every time I’m in a bar I get a chance to talk to servers about this issue and . . . it’s coming up more and more.”

Some bars are already making transparency a priority. Each glass at C’est What on Front Street E. has a line indicating the 550-millilitre point (just under 19.5 ounces in imperial measurements).

“We want people to know what they’re getting and to not be disappointed,” said bartender Courtney Lander.

Still, the issue remains removed from mainstream consumer consciousness. Measurement Canada receives fewer than 10 annual complaints related to draught beer.

Cass Enright, founder of the Bar Towel, an Ontario craft beer website and co-organizer of Toronto Beer Week, said that could be because the average patron wouldn’t think to check if they’re being ripped off. The new law may change that.

“The word ‘pint’ is thrown around almost just like a common word, but it does have a legal definition,” he said.

“I think it’s great for consumers to have this now as a source, to speak up if they feel like they didn’t get what they paid for.”

By the ounce:

Firkin on Harbour

Moosehead Lager, $6.81, 20 ounces

The Jersey Giant

Rickard’s Red, $6.99, 18 ounces

C’est What

Headstock IPA, $7.96, 19.3 ounces

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The Hot House

Guinness, $5, 18 ounces

Fionn MacCool’s

Shock Top, $6.99, 18 ounces

Tilted Kilt

Delirium, $7.30, 14 ounces

Scotland Yard Pub

Creemore Springs, $6.63, 18 ounces

Duke of Devon

Stella Artois, $8.69, 17 ounces

The Strath Pub

Alexander Keith’s, $7.19, 18 ounces

Two Bite Saloon

Black Oak, $5, 16 ounces

Hurricanes Roadhouse

Mill St. Organic, $5.50, 20 ounces

Disgraceland

Sapporo, $6.86, 18 ounces

The Black Horse

Amsterdam Blonde, $5.75, 17 ounces

Northwood

Junction Brewery Conductor’s Craft Ale, $7, 18 ounces

Tallboys

Liberty Village 504, $5.97, 19 ounces