Australian beer culture is renowned around the world for its love of refreshing, crisp and delicious beer. However, the size of a standard beer can vary widely depending on which state you are in. In this blog post, we will explore the different beer sizes by state in Australia.
New South Wales and ACT
In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, the smallest of the common beer sizes is 285ml, which is also known as a “middy”, a larger size known as a “schooner” (425ml) is the most common size served in pubs. The “pint” which is the same as a British imperial pint at 570ml is available and often the size of choice at any Irish themed pubs across the state.
Victoria
In Victoria, the standard beer size you will find at the pub is 285ml, which is also known as a “pot”. However, the larger “schooner” (425ml) has also been increasing in popularity in recent years, with the 570ml “pint” also gaining traction thanks to the influx of Irish themed pubs.
Queensland
Queensland follows Victoria’s naming conventions when it comes to beer sizes: a “pot” which is 285ml and a “schooner” which is 425ml. The “schooner” is the larger size and is more commonly served in pubs and bars across the state over the pot. The 570ml “pint” is also available.
South Australia
South Australia for some reason needed to be different from everyone else and has made a confusing mess of the beer glass names. firstly, the 285ml that is known as a pot or middy in most states is called a schooner, while the 425ml glass that every other state’s call a schooner is known as a “pint”. As for the 570ml size every other state calls a pint, this is known as the “imperial pint”. Schooners followed by pints are the common in pubs and bars throughout the state.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, the most common beer sizes follow New South Wales lead with “middys” at 285ml, “schooners” at 425ml and “pints” at 570ml. Both middy and schooner sizes are the most common in pubs across the state.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, the standard 285ml middy or pot as it is known in other states is called a “ten” (as in 10 fl oz) and is the most popular size followed by the 425ml “schooner” and then the “pint” at 570ml.
Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, the standard beer size is 285ml, which is known as a “handle”. It is said that the smaller size first gained popularity due to the extreme heat as you didn’t want to be hanging onto your cold beer too long, having handles on the glass also means your body temperature is not transferred into the beer. While handled glasses are available in other states, handleless glasses or “straights” are most common outside the NT. The larger size beers such as a “schooner” (425ml) or a “pint” (570ml) are also increasing in popularity across the NT.
In conclusion, the standard beer size in Australia can vary widely depending on which state you are in. While the most common size is 285ml, also known as a “middy” or a “pot”, larger sizes such as a “schooner” (425ml) or a “pint” (570ml) are also common in many areas. Next time you order a beer in Australia, be sure to check the local terminology and ask for your preferred size.