Why is a small glass of beer called a middie in NSW and a pot in Victoria & Queensland?

Question

We're all Aussies, why can't we call a small beer by the same name?
Why is a big glass of beer called a schooner?
What is a pot/middie called in Tassie, WA, SA and NT?

Answer 1

I'm Absolutely Stunned none of these drongoes has given the correct answer yet.

Well Here Goes:-=-= (A Long One But Well Worth The Read)-=-=-
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The Middy (Sometimes now reffered to as Half Pint). Used To Be The Middle Size Between A 5, 6, 7 or 8oz.(For The Ladies)(Pony's, Bobby's, Butcher's etc) and The Schooner.
Now that alot of pubs only have the 2 larger sizes, The Name has just remained (as it should).(Preserve our Traditions)
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In Qld, There Was an attemp to indroduce a small lady's size back in the day But since Qld Women aren't Quite as reserved when it comes to a refreshing ale, and everyone is generally more thirsty, It Never Took Off (implemented, but never popular, So No Need To Call It A Middy)---- ------ ------ ------ -----

(Pot-REMEMBER THIS WORD CAME ABOUT LONG AGO)
As for The Word Pot, Qld-ers & Victorians have traditionally been more ruff in a pubs in language especially. "Haven't a Pot To Pi55 in, ...Etc". Was always a poular saying and when somone said this, somtimes a mate would pass them an empty 10oz (pot) "here now ya got one" It just took off from there.-------
(aswell a few blokes probably asked For A "Pot" To the Publican
on diferrent occasions and when the publican said "that's not a pot" the bloke then would have said something like "well I need one to Pi55 in and a window tothrow it out of.(or something to that effect.)(Queenslanders are known for wit as dry as the bush). --------

SCHOONER is Easier, because It's the biggest of the one man Yachts(or sailboats) and WAS the biggest beer untill The Pint started taking over everywhere.
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In N.T. There Called Pots OR Handles Or even on ocassion 10oz's (for when folks get confused between the 2 names) & a Schooner Is Schooner.
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In S.A. It's a Middie/pot is Called A Schooner (Which I think is no good and confusing But Hey, That Probably Used To Be Their Bigest Beer)
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In W. A. It's Middy but the Schooner is Schooner OR Pint
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Finally In Tasmania It's a "10" Or Pot ! (all there sizes are usually no#'s)
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I Tell Ya What, Go To The Link below And Print Out The Naming Table and Take it with Ya when you travel Cause it might just save a lot of confusion. (I had not idea there were quite so many names)

As For "why can't we call a small beer by one name?"
WELL IT'S THIS:- all states have a great sense of pride (Individually and nationally) and that's something that shouldn't be and won't be messed with for a while yet at least.

We Aussie's are Passionate About Our Beer And Want to stay As Passionate About Related Traditions. (As We Should)

Have You Been to Europe Lately? Not Being Able to Use The Franc In France And The Lira In Italy Really Puts A Cheap Commercial Taint On The Whole Experience. Sure There Was A bit Of A hassle Adjusting with The Conversion and Exchanging of the Old Currencies But Looking Back, It Was Well Worth it.

The Only Universal Beer Vesicle name now is "Jug", It Would Be the Pint But 3 Other States Are Using That Name In Place Of the Schooner

In Short, Asker, You Might As Well Ask Muslims To Start Calling The Quaran The Bible Instead.

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Answer 2

Don't know why there is a difference. Have you ever been embarrassed ordering a drink in a different state? I have, they look at you like you are from a different country.
I asked for a middie in Victoria and they went 'what'? lol
Standardising drinks would make sense and easier for everyone as most Aussies I know would rather see the country than go overseas as we have so much to offer.
In WA there are so many micro breweries a drink is kind of a big or small glass, very confusing.
Taste is what matters at the end of the day though.

Answer 3

I think it has something to do with the states that call them "pots" using a more English based dialect, then those calling them "midis".

A "pot" is sometimes used to refer to a half-pint, and Ive noticed in some bars in SA, they refer to NSW schooners as Pints, so therefore, a "pot" is half a NSW schooner, or half a "pint".

To make matters worse, I have heard NSW midis refered to as schooners in SA, so if you ever see a sign advertising $1.50 or $2 schooners in SA, be aware that it isnt the schooner you're used to if you live in NSW. Dont make the same mistake I did.

They should introduce a standard system like in NSW where:

Midi = 225ml
Schooner = 425ml
Pint = 512ml

Answer 4

I used to work in a bar in the ACT, I got asked for a pot once and I gave them a schooner, I figured a pot sounds big so it must be a schooner. I was wrong.

Answer 5

Schooner Size

Answer 6

And just to throw the spanner in the works, so many places are now having pints! We are Australian - not English :)

I moved from NSW to QLD 6 years ago and I still can't get used to the beer sizes. I am with you - lets standardise our sizes because it can be too hard to remember where you are sometimes after you have had too many!

Answer 7

The same goes for a slab of beer, I think is it called a box in NSW

Answer 8

it is called a schooner after a type of sailing vessel. sorry can't answer the rest think it has to do with the old english terminology...

Answer 9

because of the custom on each state, you can expect the custom is the same. even it is at the same country, because Australia is just very mix culture.

Answer 10

Queensland had Jo & Flo for 19 years so they just have to be different.