I had a similar circumstance where a pub wouldn’t serve me Kriek in a pint glass (though it would serve me a pint of stronger cider – so it couldn’t be an alcoholic strength issue).

I suspect it was a marketing issue where the drink had to be served in special half-pint glasses with the producer’s branding upon them. I have had the same drink in France which is also served in litres, let alone 330ml glasses.

The barmaid deferred my request to the publican, which I repeated as two halves and a pint glass. I received a sour look, a denial and reiteration of a halves-only policy (I could have two halves, but not a pint glass). I then asked for a pint of water and two halves of Kriek. The publican angrily suggested I was ‘taking the piss’. Strange to be in the predicament of discovering that the pursuit of a merchant’s desirable and readily available product can be considered offensive. I tried to reassure him that I meant absolutely no offence at all.

So, I asked for a pint of lemonade and two halves of Kriek, which the publican (clearly undergoing an internal crisis) ungracefully served me.

Eventually, at a table, I downed the lemonade and transferred both Kriek’s into the pint glass.

When the publican came round collecting empties I was careful to subtly ensure my pint glass happened to be in my hand when he came nearby. I’m sure he would have been sorely tempted to confiscate it otherwise. He was instead inclined to ignore me and act as if I hadn’t ‘got one over on him’ – which wasn’t my intention – I simply wanted a pint of Kriek.