A pub landlord has attempted to get around the government’s Tier 2 restrictions by serving a pint called a “substantial meal”.

The Caxton Arms in Brighton says it will be offering the “hearty, filling and flavoursome” ale from its supplier the “Made Up Brewery” when it reopens on Thursday.

Landlord Brett Mendoza posted a picture of himself on social media with his new draught offering this week claiming it gives customers a loophole to the area’s Tier 2 restrictions.

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In Brighton and other Tier 2 regions throughout England, customers are only allowed to drink alcohol in pubs and restaurants if it is accompanied by a “substantial meal”.

The term has sparked confusion among business owners, with minister George Eustice claiming on Monday that a scotch egg would “probably” constitute a substantial meal.

He later appeared to be overruled by the prime minister’s official spokesman who said that “bar snacks do not count”.

On Tuesday, cabinet minister Michael Gove suggested to Kay Burley that you could drink a bottle of wine alongside some garlic bread and a scotch egg and still be within the rules.

He later told LBC that two scotch eggs would count as a starter and therefore a substantial meal.

Mr Mendoza, 40, described the Tier 2 rules as “farcical”, telling the Brighton Argus: “No one knows what a substantial meal is.

“There are only a couple of days to go until the rule comes in now, and people still don’t know.

“So I printed this off as a joke, attached it on top of one of our other beer pumps and posted it on social media.”

The picture has now been shared thousands of times.

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman did not comment on Mr Mendoza’s case specifically, but told Sky News in a statement: “Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants.

“Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.”

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