Pot vs. Schooner — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 29, 2024
A pot is a beer glass size in Australia, holding about 285ml, while a schooner is larger, varying between 425ml in Australia to about 325ml in other regions.
Difference Between Pot and Schooner
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A pot, in Australian vernacular, refers to a specific size of beer glass, traditionally holding approximately 285 milliliters. This size is particularly common in the states of Victoria and Queensland. On the other hand, a schooner refers to a beer glass size that is larger than a pot. In Australia, it typically holds about 425 milliliters, especially prevalent in New South Wales and South Australia, whereas in other regions, such as Canada and the UK, a schooner can hold approximately 325 milliliters or vary according to local custom.
The pot is a popular choice for drinkers who prefer a smaller amount of beer, allowing it to remain cold until the last sip, especially in warmer climates. Whereas, a schooner, being larger, is suited for those who prefer more beer but may compromise on temperature towards the end, depending on the drinking speed and environmental conditions.
The choice between a pot and a schooner can reflect local drinking practices and preferences. In Victoria, for example, a pot is often the standard beer serving, fostering a specific social drinking culture. Conversely, in New South Wales, the schooner is the more common choice, indicative of the state's unique social and drinking norms.
Pricing and social settings also influence the choice between a pot and a schooner. Pots may be favored in more casual, quick-drink scenarios due to their smaller size and lower price point. Schooners, however, might be chosen in settings where people plan to stay longer and enjoy their drinks more leisurely, despite the slightly higher cost.
The terminology itself pot vs. schooner highlights the rich diversity in beer drinking cultures within Australia and beyond, reflecting not just personal preference but also regional identities and traditions. While both serve the same function of beer delivery, the choice of one over the other can say a lot about local customs, climate considerations, and even economic factors.
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Comparison Chart
Volume
Approximately 285ml
425ml in Australia, ~325ml elsewhere
Popularity Region
Victoria and Queensland, Australia
New South Wales and South Australia, Australia; varies internationally
Ideal For
Smaller servings; keeping beer colder
Larger servings; more leisurely drinking
Cultural Significance
Reflects local drinking practices in specific Australian states
Indicates regional drinking preferences; varies internationally
Usage Scenario
Preferred for quick drinks in casual settings
Chosen for longer, more leisurely socializing
Compare with Definitions
Pot
Preferred for its smaller size, keeping the beer cold.
A pot is perfect for a hot day, as it doesn't warm up too quickly.
Schooner
May lead to warmer beer towards the end, depending on conditions.
The bottom of a schooner can get a bit warm in the sun.
Pot
A medium-sized beer glass in Australia, holding about 285ml.
I'll have a pot of your finest lager, please.
Schooner
In Australia, typically holds 425ml, especially in New South Wales and South Australia.
Schooners are the go-to beer size in Sydney.
Pot
Suits quick drinking sessions or those who prefer less.
Just stopping by for a quick pot before heading home.
Schooner
A larger beer glass size, varying regionally from about 325ml to 425ml.
I'll take a schooner of pale ale.
Pot
Commonly used in Victoria and Queensland for smaller beer servings.
In Queensland, ordering a pot is the norm.
Schooner
Favored for more leisurely drinking without frequent refills.
A schooner lets you relax and enjoy the conversation without rushing.
Pot
Reflects local drinking culture and preferences.
Ordering pots at the pub is part of the local charm here.
Schooner
Indicates a preference for larger beer servings in social settings.
We always get schooners when we're watching the game.
Pot
A round, fairly deep cooking vessel with a handle and often a lid.
Schooner
A schooner () is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig: fore-and-aft rigged on all of 2 or more masts and, in the case of a 2 masted schooner, the foremast generally being shorter than the mainmast. A common variant, the topsail schooner also has a square topsail on the foremast, to which may be added a topgallant.
Pot
A short round container for storing or serving food
A jam pot.
A mustard pot.
Schooner
A fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessel having at least two masts, with a foremast that is usually smaller than the other masts.
Pot
A coffeepot.
Schooner
A large beer glass, generally holding a pint or more.
Pot
A teapot.
Schooner
A prairie schooner.
Pot
Such a container and its contents
A pot of stew.
Brewed a pot of coffee.
Schooner
(watercraft) A sailing ship with two or more masts, all with fore-and-aft sails; if two masted, having a foremast and a mainmast.
Pot
A potful.
Schooner
(UK) A glass for drinking a large measure of sherry.
Pot
A large drinking cup; a tankard.
Schooner
(Australia) A glass of beer, of a size which varies between states (Wikipedia).
Pot
A drink of liquor contained in such a cup.
Schooner
(US) A large goblet or drinking glass, used for lager or ale (Wikipedia).
Pot
An artistic or decorative ceramic vessel of any shape.
Schooner
(historical) A covered wagon used by emigrants.
Pot
A flowerpot.
Schooner
Originally, a small, sharp-built vessel, with two masts and fore-and-aft rig. Sometimes it carried square topsails on one or both masts and was called a topsail schooner. About 1840, longer vessels with three masts, fore-and-aft rigged, came into use, and since that time vessels with four masts and even with six masts, so rigged, are built. Schooners with more than two masts are designated three-masted schooners, four-masted schooners, etc. See Illustration in Appendix.
Pot
Something, such as a chimney pot or chamber pot, that resembles a round cooking vessel in appearance or function.
Schooner
A large goblet or drinking glass, - used for lager beer or ale.
Pot
A trap for eels, other fish, or crustaceans, typically consisting of a wicker or wire basket or cage.
Schooner
A large beer glass
Pot
The total amount staked by all the players in one hand in cards.
Schooner
Sailing vessel used in former times
Pot
The area on a card table where stakes are placed.
Pot
A shot in billiards or related games intended to send a ball into a pocket.
Pot
(Informal) A common fund to which members of a group contribute.
Pot
Often pots Informal A large amount
Lost a pot of cash in the stock market crash.
Made pots of money on their investment.
Pot
(Informal) A potshot.
Pot
(Informal) A potbelly.
Pot
(Informal) A potty or toilet.
Pot
Marijuana.
Pot
See potentiometer.
Pot
To place or plant in a pot
Pot a geranium.
Pot
To preserve (food) in a pot.
Pot
To cook in a pot.
Pot
To shoot (game) for food rather than for sport.
Pot
(Informal) To shoot with a potshot.
Pot
(Informal) To win or capture; bag.
Pot
(Games) To hit (a ball) into a pocket.
Pot
(Informal) To take a potshot.
Pot
To make or shape objects from clay, as on a potter's wheel.
Pot
A flat-bottomed vessel (usually metal) used for cooking food.
Pot
Various similar open-topped vessels, particularly
Pot
A vessel (usually earthenware) used with a seal for storing food, such as a honeypot.
Pot
A vessel used for brewing or serving drinks: a coffeepot or teapot.
Pot
A vessel used to hold soil for growing plants, particularly flowers: a flowerpot.
Pot
A vessel used for urination and defecation: a chamber pot; a toilet; the lavatory.
Shit or get off the pot.
Pot
A crucible: a melting pot.
Pot
A pot-shaped trap used for catching lobsters or other seafood: a lobster pot.
Pot
A pot-shaped metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney: a chimney pot.
Pot
A perforated cask for draining sugar.
Pot
(obsolete) An earthen or pewter cup or mug used for drinking liquor.
Pot
A glass of beer in Australia whose size varies regionally but is typically around 10 fl oz (285 mL).
Pot
Pothole, sinkhole, vertical cave.
Pot
A shallow hole used in certain games played with marbles. The marbles placed in it are called potsies.
Pot
Ruin or deterioration.
After his arrest, his prospects went to pot.
Pot
(historical) Any of various traditional units of volume notionally based on the capacity of a pot.
Pot
(historical) An iron hat with a broad brim worn as a helmet.
Pot
(rail transport) A pot-shaped non-conducting (usually ceramic) stand that supports an electrified rail while insulating it from the ground.
Pot
The money available to be won in a hand of poker or a round of other games of chance; (figuratively) any sum of money being used as an enticement.
No one's interested. You need to sweeten the pot.
Pot
A favorite: a heavily-backed horse.
Pot
(slang) potbelly: a pot-shaped belly, a paunch.
Pot
(slang) potshot: a haphazard shot; an easy or cheap shot.
Pot
A plaster cast.
Pot
(historical) nodot=a: a former size of paper, 12.5 × 15 inches.
Pot
Marijuana.
Pot
A simple electromechanical device used to control resistance or voltage (often to adjust sound volume) in an electronic device by rotating or sliding when manipulated by a human thumb, screwdriver, etc.
Pot
(RPG) potion
Pot
To put (something) into a pot.
To pot a plant
Pot
To preserve by bottling or canning.
Potted meat
Pot
To cause a ball to fall into a pocket.
Pot
To be capable of being potted.
The black ball doesn't pot; the red is in the way.
Pot
(transitive) To shoot with a firearm.
Pot
To take a pot shot, or haphazard shot, with a firearm.
Pot
To secure; gain; win; bag.
Pot
(British) To send someone to gaol, expeditiously.
Pot
To tipple; to drink.
Pot
(transitive) To drain (e.g. sugar of the molasses) in a perforated cask.
Pot
To seat a person, usually a young child, on a potty or toilet, typically during toilet teaching.
Pot
To apply a plaster cast to a broken limb.
Pot
To catch (a fish, eel, etc) via a pot.
Pot
To score (a drop goal).
Pot
To fade volume in or out by means of a potentiometer.
Pot
A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquids, for plants, etc.; as, a quart pot; a flower pot; a bean pot.
Pot
An earthen or pewter cup for liquors; a mug.
Pot
The quantity contained in a pot; a potful; as, a pot of ale.
Pot
A metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney; a chimney pot.
Pot
A crucible; as, a graphite pot; a melting pot.
Pot
A wicker vessel for catching fish, eels, etc.
Pot
A perforated cask for draining sugar.
Pot
A size of paper. See Pott.
Pot
Marijuana.
Pot
The total of the bets at stake at one time, as in racing or card playing; the pool;
Pot
A plain defensive headpiece; later, and perhaps in a jocose sense, any helmet; - called also pot helmet.
Pot
The total of the bets at one time; the pool.
Pot
To place or inclose in pots
Pot
To shoot for the pot, i.e., cooking; to secure or hit by a pot shot; to shoot when no special skill is needed.
When hunted, it [the jaguar] takes refuge in trees, and this habit is well known to hunters, who pursue it with dogs and pot it when treed.
Pot
To secure; gain; win; bag.
Pot
To tipple; to drink.
It is less labor to plow than to pot it.
Pot
To take a pot shot or shots, as at game or an enemy.
Pot
Metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
Pot
A plumbing fixture for defecation and urination
Pot
The quantity contained in a pot
Pot
A container in which plants are cultivated
Pot
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Pot
The cumulative amount involved in a game (such as poker)
Pot
Slang terms for a paunch
Pot
A resistor with three terminals, the third being an adjustable center terminal; used to adjust voltages in radios and TV sets
Pot
Street names for marijuana
Pot
Plant in a pot;
He potted the palm
Common Curiosities
How big is a schooner?
A schooner varies in size; in Australia, it's typically 425ml, while in other regions, it might be around 325ml.
Can you find pots and schooners outside of Australia?
Schooners are found in various regions outside Australia, often with different sizes, while pots are specifically Australian.
What is a pot in Australian beer terms?
A pot is a beer glass size in Australia, holding about 285ml, commonly used in Victoria and Queensland.
Why would someone choose a pot over a schooner?
A pot is chosen for smaller servings, keeping the beer colder, and is preferred for quicker drinking sessions.
Is a schooner always larger than a pot?
Yes, in the contexts where both terms are used, a schooner is larger than a pot.
Why does the size of a schooner vary internationally?
The size varies due to different local customs, traditions, and legal standards for alcohol serving sizes.
How does the choice between a pot and a schooner reflect local culture?
It reflects local drinking habits, climate considerations, and social traditions, varying significantly between regions.
What is the advantage of a schooner in a social setting?
Schooners offer more beer, making them suitable for longer social engagements without frequent refills.
Are pots and schooners priced differently?
Yes, due to their size difference, pots are generally cheaper than schooners.
What historical reasons might influence the size of beer servings like pots and schooners?
Historical reasons include legal regulations, local brewing traditions, and the evolution of social drinking norms.
Does the beer in a schooner get warm?
Depending on the drinking speed and environmental conditions, the beer in a schooner can warm towards the end.
What regional differences exist in the preference for pots and schooners?
Preferences vary with pots being popular in Victoria and Queensland, and schooners favored in New South Wales and South Australia.
What does ordering a pot say about your drinking preferences?
Ordering a pot often indicates a preference for smaller, colder servings of beer, suitable for quick drinks.
How are pots and schooners used in pubs?
Pubs offer both sizes, catering to different customer preferences for beer volume and drinking pace.
How do international visitors react to Australian beer serving sizes?
International visitors might be intrigued or confused by the regional variations, such as the distinction between pots and schooners.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
