The Collaborative International Dictionary
Beer \Beer\, n. [OE. beor, ber, AS. be['o]r; akin to Fries. biar, Icel. bj?rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E. brew. [root]93, See Brew.]
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A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other substance to impart a bitter flavor.
Note: Beer has different names, as small beer, ale, porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its strength, or other qualities. See Ale.
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A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.
Small beer, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. ``To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer.''
--Shak.
Usage examples of "brown stout".
And I am sure the bottles of Bickle's Best Brown Stout I once found arranged in a neat row had been intended in the same way.
A dark brown stout already separating from its creamy crown was waiting for him on the polished steel bar.