Drink types
Beer types and alcohol content in Australia
Lager, pale ale, IPA, stout, wheat beer — counted in 10-gram standard drinks, not in “just a beer”.
- NHMRC light-beer example
- ~2.7%
- NHMRC mid-strength example
- ~3.5%
- NHMRC full-strength example
- ~4.9%
- 570 mL pint at 4.9%
- ~2.2
How many standard drinks are in a pint of beer depends on the glass and the ABV. A 570 mL pint of 4.9% beer is about 2.2 Australian standard drinks. A schooner is often 425 mL. NHMRC’s example of about one standard drink is 285 mL of beer at about 4.9%. Always prefer the number on the can or tap list.
Definition
Beer (for counting). A fermented malt drink whose labelled ABV and serve size determine the standard-drink count. Style names (lager, ale, IPA) describe process and flavour tradition — they are not a strength ranking by themselves.
Beer styles
Typical labelled ranges, not a shopping list
Style pages exist so you can count standard drinks. ABV ranges are educational approximations — the label on the product in your hand wins.
IPA
An IPA is a hop-forward ale, often stronger than a supermarket lager. Typical ABV ranges and how to count Australian standard drinks.
Open ipa
Lager
Lager is typically cooler-fermented than ale. Typical labelled ABV and how a lager schooner or pint counts in Australian standard drinks.
Open lager
Pale ale
Pale ale is an ale, not automatically stronger than lager. Typical labelled ABV and how to count an Australian standard drink.
Open pale ale
Stout
Stout is a dark ale, not automatically “heavy” in alcohol. Typical labelled ABV and how to count Australian standard drinks.
Open stout
Wheat beer
Wheat beer is a wheat-malt ale style, not automatically light. Typical ABV and how to count Australian standard drinks.
Open wheat beer
Serve versus count
| Compare | Common assumption | What to count |
|---|---|---|
| A 375 mL full-strength can | “One beer.” | Commonly around 1.4–1.5 standard drinks at about 4.8–5%. Read the can. |
| A pint | One drink, everywhere in Australia. | Glass sizes vary by state and venue. A 570 mL 4.9% pour is about 2.2 standard drinks. |
| Low-alcohol beer | Automatically “free” or automatically one standard drink. | Lower ABV in the same volume is fewer grams — still read the standard-drink statement. |
Questions
Questions people actually ask
A 570 mL pint at 4.9% ABV is about 2.2 Australian standard drinks (0.57 × 4.9 × 0.789). Some venues serve a smaller pint. Do not assume one.
Open a style page if you have a can in your hand
Lager, pale ale, IPA, stout, and wheat beer each have typical labelled ranges. Then put the number next to the NHMRC guideline.