A schooner is a type of glass for serving drinks. In the United Kingdom it is the name for a large sherry glass. In Australia it is the name for a particular glass size, used for any type of beer.

United Kingdom

In Britain, a schooner is a large sherry glass. Sherry is traditionally served in one of two measures: a clipper, the smaller measure, or a schooner, the larger measure, both named after the sort of ships that brought sherry over from Spain. The schooner name was more particular to Bristol, to where most sherry was imported, stored and bottled. It is usually served on its own.

Also, since 2011, beer and cider have been permitted to be sold in 2⁄3 imperial pint (379 ml) glasses known by drinkers as 'schooners', though these are not defined as such in UK legislation.^[1]

Newcastle Brown Ale is traditionally served in a 1⁄2 imperial pint (284 ml) glass called a schooner, or 'Geordie schooner'.^[2]

Australia

In all Australian states other than South Australia, a "schooner" is a 425 ml (15 imp fl oz), or three-quarters of an imperial pint.

It is the most common size in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory, although it is known in other states. Some hospitality venues in Western Australia are going through a process of "schoonerification", whereby the previous culture of drinking by pints has been changed with vessels of schooner size to allay increasing costs to venues and with encouragement from the state government to curb binge drinking.

In South Australian pubs and clubs, the term "schooner" refers to a glass with a capacity of 285 ml (10 imp fl oz) (known as a "pot" elsewhere in Australia, or a "middy" in New South Wales and Western Australia; these were half an imperial pint pre-metrication).

There is no legal definition of a schooner in Australia,^[3] with the volume of beer served depending on the venue. A calibrated 425 ml glass may be used and filled to the brim.

Canada

In Canada, a "schooner" refers to a large capacity beer glass. Unlike the Australian schooner, which is smaller than a pint, a Canadian schooner is larger. Although not standardised, the most common size of schooner served in Canadian bars is 33.3 Imp fl oz / 946 ml (32 US fl oz). It is commonly a tankard-shaped glass (dimpled mug shape with handle), rather than a traditional pint glass. It shouldn't be confused with Schooner Lager, which is a regional brand of beer found only in the eastern maritime provinces of Canada.

United States

In most places in the United States, "schooner" refers to the shape of the glass (rounded with a short stem), rather than the capacity. It can range from 18 to 32 US fl oz (532 to 946 ml).

In the Pacific Northwest, "schooner" refers to a smaller size pour, usually 8 to 12 ounces. It's often available off-menu.