Beer (&?;), n. [OE.
beor, ber, AS. beór; akin to Fries. biar, Icel.
bj&?;rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E. brew. √93, See Brew.]
1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other substance to impart a bitter flavor.
&fist; Beer has different names, as small beer, ale, porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its strength, or other qualities. See Ale.
2. 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.
Hear it pronounced