The Language of Beer

I ask for "beer". What else would someone say?

We certainly 'pull' pints of draught beer over here, Medievalist. 'Drawing' a beer would no doubt be purely American, as I've never heard it used here in the UK.

We would say 'Pull me a pint of John Smiths' or whatever the brand is in a particular pub. Although, these days, it's more usual just to ask for 'A pint of Smiths' or 'A half of Smiths'.

Pulling seems to be the default. If that's not what you want, you ask for a bottle of whatever, rather than a half or a pint. Certainly in the pubs and bars I visit.

In that context, I'd probably say "poured a draft".

I read your example, and I have heard of "drawing a beer from the tap" but like Jay, pouring is more common.

Ah, but III - you're not pouring as in lifting the receptacle and letting the alcohol flow into another vessel, are you? So technically you would 'drip' a beer or...um...well, your round, is it?

Actually, in my years as a bartender it was 'pour a draft beer.' With a black and tan or a black and red, you 'cascade' the Guinness.

But for the most part, my customers said, "Bud Light draft" or "Blue Moon pitcher" and left the verbs out of it entirely...

...mostly because they weren't familiar with the concept of complete sentences.

scarletpeaches said:

Ah, but III - you're not pouring as in lifting the receptacle and letting the alcohol flow into another vessel, are you? So technically you would 'drip' a beer or...um...well, your round, is it?

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Actually I was thinking "How would Norm Peterson from Cheers order a beer?" WWNPD. It's how I roll.

Norm didn't have to order beer though. He walked in and it just...appeared.

I've heard "drew a beer" before, in answer to the question posed on the blog.

I tend to say "poured" in my writing. It seems almost universal and can apply to bottles, cans, or tap beer.

And when I order, I say, "I'd like a tap of <whatever brand>." I never just ask for a "beer." That's like asking for a "soda." Or even saying to the bartender, "I'd like a drink."

You'd only say beer, soda, or drink if you didn't care what the hell they brought you.

And I'm a beer snob and wouldn't want them to bring me a domestic.

So if its on tap you don't ask for a prefered brand?

Scottish barmen are psychic. They have powers. They know your needs.

I'm not going to let you get away with that myth, scarletpeaches. I've been to Scotland; I know better.

Must be. I'll have to visit sometime. I like not having to ask.

Customer: Gizza pint o' heavy.

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Hotdamn I'd go a pint 'o heavy right now

Liquid velvet.....mmmmmmmmmmm

Yeah 'pulled'. rarely use though. 'Pint of Scrumpy please' usually works.

Although in my local ( and its psychic Scots landlords) I never even have to say that. I walk in, it's on the bar by the time I get there

mscelina said:

I'm not going to let you get away with that myth, scarletpeaches. I've been to Scotland; I know better.

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We don't take kindly to you damn furriners coming here, drinkin oor swally.

Medievalist said:

I'm interested in what verb you use to refer to getting the beer from a tap in a bar.

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What's on tap? is what I say.

scarletpeaches said:

We don't take kindly to you damn furriners coming here, drinkin oor swally.

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Oh, I don't know. There was at least one Scotsman who took quite kindly to a furriner like me coming over there...

*sighs*

Those were the days.

jennifer75 said:

What's on tap? is what I say.

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but jennifer, you have the tap in your hand and your friend is in front of you. what do you say?

'can i pour you a beer?'

'let me draw you a beer?'

'may i pull you a pint?'

'hows about about a yard for the road?'


huh?

Well, if I'm the host, I'd say, "Can I GET you a beer?" Which again works regardless of how the beer is contained.

cray said:

but jennifer, you have the tap in your hand and your friend is in front of you. what do you say?

'can i pour you a beer?'

'let me draw you a beer?'

'may i pull you a pint?'

'hows about about a yard for the road?'


huh?

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one for the ditch?