n.1 a an alcoholic drink made from yeast-fermented malt etc., flavoured with hops. b a glass of this, esp. a pint or half-pint.
2 any of several other fermented drinks, e.g. ginger beer.
Phrases and idioms:
beer and skittles amusement (life is not all beer and skittles). beer-cellar
1. an underground room for storing beer.
2 a basement or cellar for selling or drinking beer. beer-engine Brit. a machine that draws up beer from a barrel in a cellar. beer garden a garden where beer is sold and drunk. beer hall a large room where beer is sold and drunk. beer-mat a small table-mat for a beer-glass. beer pump US beer-engine.
Etymology: OE beor f. LL biber drink f. L bibere