I'll have a pint of 70, please...

Dear Angus,

What does it mean when a person ordering a beer asks for a pint of 60? I'm familiar with the term pint, but become confused with the use of the number 60. Is this some kind of secret code?

-BAFFLED BY THE 60

Dear Baffled,
The number used when ordering a pint stems from the old form of beer classification. Shillings of duty (tha' British fer tax) were payable on each barrel of beer/ale. Tha' stronger tha' ale, tha' higher tha' duty. Today this system is purely fer tha' character indication of the beer/ale, rather than tha' amount of duty ta be paid. 60 shilling is a light beer, 70 shilling t'was a heavy, an' 80 shilling t'was an export. Today tha' word 'shilling' is implied rather than stated, as in, "Twa pints o' tha' 80, please!"

ANGUS