Where "Pot" Comes From
The Macquarie Dictionary says a pot is about 285mL and is the name used in Victoria, parts of Queensland and Tasmania — the same glass NSW and WA call a "middy." It's one of the clearest examples of Australia's state-by-state pub-glass naming divide. We haven't found a date for when the name began.
Source: A deep dive into Aussie beer sizes (Macquarie Dictionary)
“I'll have a pot of the pale ale, thanks.”
“Just a pot for me, I'm driving.”
"Two pots of the Carlton thanks, mate."
How Aussies Actually Use It
Not to be confused with a "pot" in other contexts — context (a pub, an order) makes the beer-glass meaning obvious.
Pot is the word you use when you are ordering at the bar in the states where it applies, and it is a small, practical word in that setting. It is a smaller glass rather than a full pint, so it suits someone who wants a cold beer without committing to a large one. It is normally ordered by number: "a pot of Carlton", "two pots of new".
The tricky part for learners is that the name changes depending on where you are drinking. The same size glass is called something different in other states, so if a bartender looks puzzled, ask for the size in millilitres or point at the glass. Try to avoid confusion with "pot" meaning a cooking pot, which never comes up at the bar. Also note that "pot" is a specific size, not just any beer.
See also: Middy (the name for the same glass in other states), Schooner (the next size up), Stubby (beer in a bottle instead of a glass).
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