Lyla Lindsey
Ordering a beer in Australia can be a confusing endeavour, with the country's many states and territories each having their own unique names and sizes for beer servings. In most parts of Australia, a schooner is a 425ml serving, but in South Australia, the term refers to a smaller 285ml glass, which is usually known as a middy or pot in other parts of the country. The name schooner comes from a new clause in the Liquor Act of New South Wales in 1948, which stated that malt liquor could only be supplied in glasses sized at five, ten, fifteen, or twenty fluid ounces.
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What You'll Learn
In most Australian states, a schooner is 425ml
In Australia, a schooner of beer is typically 425ml, except in South Australia, where the term schooner refers to a smaller 285ml glass. This is usually known as a "middy" or "pot" in other parts of the country.
The size of a schooner has not always been consistent, and it was standardised in New South Wales in 1948, when a new clause in the state's Liquor Act concerning beer glasses came into effect. This new legislation stated that no holder of a publican's licence could supply any malt liquor for consumption on the premises except in a glass sized to contain five, ten, fifteen, or twenty fluid ounces (142ml, 284ml, 426ml, 568ml). As a pint comprised twenty fluid ounces, this regular series of measures contained one-quarter, one-half, three-quarters, and one pint.
The schooner was first standardised at 17 fluid ounces (483ml) and then reduced to 16 fluid ounces (454ml) in 1941. During World War II, as a rationing measure, production of beer in Australian breweries was reduced to two-thirds of normal output, and pint glasses were eliminated from pubs in New South Wales. The 16-ounce schooner and the 9-ounce middy were retained, but restrictions on the use of schooners were introduced in 1942. Publicans were allowed to refuse to serve beer in schooners except during the busiest period of the day, usually the couple of hours before closing time at 6 pm. This caused protests and industrial stoppages in Newcastle, where many workers finished their shifts before 4 pm, and became known as the "schooner war".
Today, the 425ml schooner is considered a "perfect" size by many drinkers, being big enough to quench your thirst, but small enough to keep the beer cold and fresh before you finish it.
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In South Australia, a schooner is 285ml
The 285ml size is usually known as a middy or pot in the rest of Australia. In Tasmania, it is called a ten, and in Perth and its surrounding areas, it is also known as a middy. In the Northern Territory, a 285ml beer is called a handle and comes with a handle so that it stays cool for longer in the warm climate.
In South Australia, a 200ml beer is considered the pot/middy standard, and a 285ml beer is a schooner. This is the opposite of the rest of the country, where a 200ml beer is considered a pot or middy, and a 425ml beer is a schooner.
The term schooner has an interesting history in Australia. In 1948, New South Wales formally adopted the schooner as a standard beer measure. This was when a new clause in the state's Liquor Act concerning beer glasses came into effect, stating that no holder of a publican's licence could supply any 'malt liquor' for consumption on the premises except in a glass 'sized to contain five, or ten, or fifteen, or twenty fluid ounces' (142ml, 284ml, 426ml, 568ml). As a pint comprised twenty fluid ounces, this regular series of measures contained one-quarter, one-half, three-quarters, and one pint.
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A pint is 570ml
A pint of beer in Australia is 570ml. This is the standard in most parts of the country, except for South Australia, where a pint is 425ml, and in Adelaide and its surroundings, where a pint is 425ml and an imperial pint is 570ml. The latter is also known as a Tassie pint in Tasmania.
The pint is the largest standard beer size in Australia, larger than the jug (1,140ml), the schooner (425ml in most states), and the middy (285ml). While the jug is a standard size across the country, the schooner and middy sizes vary by region. For example, in South Australia, a schooner is 285ml, while in most other states, it is 425ml.
The pint is a popular choice for those looking to quench a serious thirst, as it is larger than the more standard schooner. It is also a good option for those who want to take their time with their drink, as it will stay colder for longer than a smaller serving. However, some may find that a pint is too much beer in one glass and that it tends to get flat and warm towards the end if consumed slowly.
The history of the pint in Australia dates back to the country's shift to the metric system in 1970, when beer measurements became standardised. The pint, at 570ml, is based on a metric conversion of 20 imperial fluid ounces. In New South Wales, the standardisation of beer glass sizes occurred earlier, in 1948, when the state's Liquor Act specified that malt liquor could only be supplied in glasses sized at five, ten, fifteen, or twenty fluid ounces, with a pint comprising twenty fluid ounces.
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A middy or pot is 285ml
In Australia, a middy or pot is 285ml. This is a standard beer size in Victoria, but it will leave most beer drinkers in other parts of the country feeling a little short-changed. In most parts of Australia, a 285ml beer is known as a 'handle', except in Western Australia and Victoria, where it is called a 'glass'. In Tasmania, it is known as a 'seven'. In South Australia, a 285ml beer is called a schooner, while in the Northern Territory, it is served with a handle to keep the beer cool for longer in the warm climate.
The 285ml beer size is also known as a ''half-pint' in Perth and its surrounding areas. It is the smallest standard size you can expect to order, making it ideal for those who only want one drink. It is also referred to as a ''schooner' in South Australia, although this term usually refers to a 425ml beer size in most other parts of the country.
The name 'middy' is derived from the term 'half-imperial pint', which was the standard size for beer in the past. Today, a middy or pot is a small beer size, perfect for those who want a single drink or are looking for a cheap night out. It is also a popular choice for groups of friends, alcoholics, or students who want to split the cost of a larger size.
While the middy or pot is a common beer size in Australia, it is not the only option available. Other standard sizes include the schooner (425ml), the pint (570ml), and the jug (1,140ml). These larger sizes are becoming increasingly popular, especially for those looking to quench a more serious thirst. However, the 285ml middy or pot remains a popular choice for those wanting a smaller serving.
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A jug is 1,140ml
In Australia, a jug of beer is 1,140ml. This is a standard size across the country. A jug is perfect for sharing with a friend—it's enough for two pints or just under three schooners.
A schooner of beer in Australia is 425ml. This is the most standard size to order and is largely the same across the country. A schooner is not too big and not too small.
A pint of beer is 570ml. This is slightly larger than a schooner and is another very popular choice.
While the names and sizes of beer glasses vary across Australia, the jug is a reliable choice if you're after a large volume of beer. It's the same size everywhere, so you can order a jug anywhere in the country and know you'll be getting 1,140ml of beer.
In New South Wales, a jug is enough for two pints, or just under three schooners. However, in South Australia, a "pint" is 425ml, so a jug would be enough for more than two "pints" in this state.
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Frequently asked questions
In most parts of Australia, a schooner is 425ml. However, in South Australia, a schooner is 285ml.
The standard size of beer varies across Australia. In most states, the standard size is 425ml, which is the volume of a schooner in most parts of the country. However, in South Australia, the standard size is 285ml, and in Victoria, it is 200ml.
In South Australia, a 425ml beer is called a pint, and a 285ml beer is called a schooner.
