A middie of new, please

BILLINGSGATE JOURNAL (Dateline Byron Bay, Aus)

BULLETIN: The correct form of ordering a beer in Australia has kept BILLINGSGATE in the pubs longer than is usually necessary. The past two days have been quite hazy because it takes considerable more practice than one might imagine to become a natural at this pastime. For instance, there is a beer called Tooheys that comes in two potions; one being Tooheys Old, the other being Tooheys New. Then there is the matter of size of glass and whether you are a local or a tourist.

They seem not to sell beer by the pitcher. The biggest glass is a schooner with all sizes after that being smaller. The mid size glass is quite appropriately called a "middy." So if you wish a Tooheys New in the middy size you would step up to the bar and say in pub shorthand that you wanted a Middy of New and the bar tender would pour you the same.

The art of pouring a draught is practiced with more care than that showed in the Beachcomber where it is drawn with one pull of the lever. In Australia they do a two step, allowing the first half to settle before topping it off. This extra care shows a more loving tenderness for this delightful beverage than that shown by the cleaveage displaying pretenders who pour at the Comber. Give me a properly poured beer every time.

BILLINGSGATE will sign off knowing that at least for the next few days he will enjoy his beer poured in the proper fashion.

G DAY