Beer
/bɪr/noun
An alcoholic beverage brewed from fermented grains, usually barley.
Did you know?English beer is historically a Germanic word, and its closest ancient relatives point to the world of grain, brewing, and the old household craft of turning barley into intoxicating liquid.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*beuwo- / *beu̯z-
“A brewing-related base associated with beer or fermented drink”
Old English
OE
beor
“Beer, ale, or a fermented drink”
Old Saxon / Old High German
OS / OHG
bior / beor
“Beer or brewed drink”
Middle English
ME
bere
“Beer, ale”
Modern English
English
beer
“A fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from malt and hops”