Six o’clock swill
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “History and beer culture”.
Explanation
Nickname for the hurried drinking just before 6 pm in Australia and New Zealand, when pubs had to close at six in the evening from 1916 and 1917. After work there was only an hour left, and drinkers downed as much as possible in a great rush. The rule was only dropped in the 1960s.
Test your knowledge
What was the “six o’clock swill” in Australia and New Zealand?
- Beer for breakfast at 6 am
- Hurried drinking because pubs had to close at 6 pm
- Six beers in a row
Show answer
Correct: Hurried drinking because pubs had to close at 6 pm. After work there was only an hour left. In South Australia and New Zealand the rule was only abolished in 1967.
What was the “six o’clock swill”?
- A beer brewed only at six in the morning
- A drinking game of Sydney sailors
- Hurried drinking before 6 pm because pubs then had to close
Show answer
Correct: Hurried drinking before 6 pm because pubs then had to close. In Australia and New Zealand pubs had to close at 6 pm from 1916/1917. After work there was only an hour left.