Slang Words For Beer (And How To Use Them)

Written by Gabriel Cruz - Foodie, Animal Lover, Slang & Language Enthusiast

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Beer is one of, if not the most beloved drinks in the world. Nothing beats a cold delicious beer, a refreshing drink that you can enjoy with friends at a bar or alone while just sitting on the couch. Beer is just so popular universally that there are so many ways to refer to it.

Down below is a compiled list of the various slang words for beer.  There are so many that it goes to show how ever-present beer is in our daily lives.  Next time someone invites you for a "cold one", you’ll know that the answer is yes.

Slang Words for Beer(in Alphabetical Order)

A

Ale

Meaning

  • (Noun) A fermented type of beer with a sweet fruity taste and full body; as a slang, it is sometimes used to refer to any beer.
  • Example: Some ale after this long day under the sun would be a godsend.
Ale

Amber Brew

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) A brew of beer referencing its color.
  • Example: Whatever those snobs say, for me, amber brew is the drink that goes best with a steak dinner.
Amber Brew

Amber Nectar

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) A British and Australian slang for beer often used in a humorous way.
  • Example: The amber nectar at the pub is what I look forward to all week.
Amber Nectar

B

Barley Soda

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Slang usually used for beer around people that dislike it or do not drink it.
  • Example: You had better not be seen by the Reverend with that barley soda in your hand so early in the day.
Barley Soda

Barley Water

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Used in the same way as Barley Soda, referring to beer made from barley in a context where beer is disliked. However, there is a non-alcoholic drink made with barley and water that is often confused with it.
  • Example: Get me some barley water from the counter. I need it to unwind after what happened. 
Barley Water

Booze

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Generally refers to alcoholic beverages, especially hard liquor but it can be used as slang for beer.
  • Example: Too much booze can really mess you up. Moderation is key as they always say.
Booze

Brew

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) A slang term for beer but it can be used for coffee. Comes from the fact that beer is brewed from various hops, malt, and barley.
  • Example: It might be expensive but home brew is much more delicious and distinct than generic bottled beer.
Brew

Brewski

Meaning:

  • (Noun) A somewhat frat lingo slang that came from “brew”  plus a play on words using the Russian practice of adding -ski to words. 
  • Example: We were upset that we ran out of brewski before we even got tipsy.
Brewski

Brown Bottle

Meaning: 

  • (Noun): A common American slang for beer. It is often used with Brown bottle flu, a euphemism for a hangover.
  • Example: Went out drinking with the guys all night, and now I regret it because I caught some extreme brown bottle flu.
Brown Bottle

C

Cold Coffee

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Slang for beer, often used in a friendly manner. Possibly became a slang due to coffee and beer being brewed but beer is enjoyed cold.
  • Example: I’ll be free tonight after work. Why don’t we meet at the bar, get some cold coffee, and catch up.
Cold Coffee

Cold one

Meaning: 

  • (Noun): Slang for chilled, cool, or cold beer. Mainly used for beer cans.
  • Example: Sitting on the couch and watching a game with a cold one is the best way to relax I always say.
Cold one

F

Frostie

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) References an American brand of root beer; used as slang for beer used when children are around.
  • Example: I will get drink some frostie after dropping off the kids because I really need to unwind.
Frostie

Frosty Pop

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Similar to barley soda, it is a child-friendly slang for beer that denotes it as a soft drink. 
  • Example: Frosty pops are best served almost ice cold at a bar.
Frosty Pop

G

Glass Sandwich

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) It is an Aussie slang for a glass of beer, usually used at a pub or bar.
  • Example: My friends and I are celebrating; maybe you can get us three glass sandwiches?
Glass Sandwich

H

Half rack

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Slang for 12 packs of beer. A full rack is 24 packs of beer.
  • Example: I can't believe how I could drink a half rack back in college; I can barely finish three bottles now.
Glass Sandwich

Hop juice

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Euphemism for beer that makes use of the fact that it is made from hops.
  • Example: Hop juice is not for children. Wait until you're older.
Hop juice

Hops

Meaning: 

  • Slang originating from Australia and New Zealand where quality beer is made from hops.
  • Example: Authentic hops from New Zealand have this particular strength and taste that I can’t get enough of.
Hops

Huff

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Old slang for bitter and strong beer or ale
  • Example: I can't stand the huff they serve at that pub; just a sip and my head spins.
Huff

I

Inky-pinky

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Scottish slang for weak beer during the early 1900s
  • Example: You might enjoy this beer but I think this is an inky-pinky. It feels like I’m drinking water. 
Inky-pinky

J

Jesus Juice

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Jesus juice originally meant wine, but has also been used recently for beer.
  • Example: I dare say this Jesus Juice is holy. I am going to drink it till I’m drunk.
Jesus Juice

L

Laughing Water

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Slang for beer, came from the fact that many people laugh uncontrollably after getting drunk with beer.
  • Example: It's been a long day; meet me at the pub for some laug
Laughing Water

Liquid Bread

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) A derogatory and condescending word used by people who hate beer and show off that they don’t drink alcohol. Can also be used to denote heavy beer.
  • Example: Liquid bread is bad for your health. Nothing good comes from it. Look at us. We don’t drink and we are very fit. 
Liquid Bread

M

Mal Liquor

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Slang for American beer with strong taste and high alcohol content.
  • Example: Paul doesn’t like light beer. He wants malt liquor for the buzz and kick it gives.
Mal Liquor

O

Oil

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) A very old term or slang for beer. Workers and drinkers used to say that beer was oil that made their bodies move smoothly, despite being tired or old.
  • Example: Kristy might be old but when she gets some oil from the pub, she dances like a crazy teen.
Oil

P

Pongelo

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) British slang that denotes a mix of pale ale or beer. Rarely used nowadays. Possibly came from the slang pong, which is also used for beer.
  • Example: Soldiers like to drink pongelo despite it being awful. I guess they just don’t have any choice at the camp.
Pongelo

Pritch

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Substandard or awful beer. A slang that came from the term “pricked” that denotes something turning sour.
  • Example: I hate it when the beer I want to try turns out to be a pritch. It tastes just like vinegar.
Pritch

Pudding Ale

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) An older slang for cheap ale.
  • Example: I am cheap but I also like to get tipsy and have fun. Pudding ale does the job for me and the taste is not so bad.
Pudding Ale

S

Shenkbeer

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Comes from the German term for draft beer. Americans use it to denote bland beer.
  • Example: The new bar got really famous but I don’t know how. They serve shenkbeer but charge extra. 
Shenkbeer

Sherbet

Meaning: 

  • A fancy slang for beer that originally came from the East. Sherbet also refers to a dessert made from ice and fruit juice.
  • Example: Sherbet is the best. I love the fruity and sweet taste despite the usual bitter beer aftertaste. 
Sherbet

Sixer

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Slang for a six-pack
  • Example: I'm not going anywhere this Friday night. I'll just buy a sixer and microwave some frozen pizza.
Sixer

Slops

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) An American and Aussie term for beer that was originally used for slurry food like pig food. Usually refers to cheap beer.
  • Example: Slops are all I can afford. I love drinking but I got to settle with cheap and bitter beer.
Slops

Suds

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) US slang for foamy beer. Suds originally was to describe the foam on top of beer.
  • Example: Sam prefers to drinks suds because he acts like a kid and plays with the foam.
Suds

Swipes

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) A 19th century slang for weak or tasteless beer.
  • Example: Watered down swipes is just awful and should be banned from being served at bars.
Swipes

T

Tinnie

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Aussie slang for beer, usually the ones in cans.
  • Example: Some like home brewed beers but tinnies are what I enjoy, specifically when cold. The sound it makes, the bubbles that gush out from it, and its taste are just perfect for me.
Tinnie

V

Vitamin B

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) Just another slang word for beer, of course because of the drink's initial.
  • Example: Jake, who might be an alcoholic, needs his vitamin B at the bar every evening.
Vitamin B

W

Wallop

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) A weird British Slang for beer or liquor that came from almost nowhere. It might refer to the bubbling foam of the beer of the “wallop” or punch you get when you drink beer.
  • Example: A strong wallop really packs a punch. Just sipping a few is enough to make you stumble and fall on the pub floor.
Wallop

Wrap-up

Beer is certainly an amazing beverage. Now, you can invite your friends to a bottle or two using the various slang terms for beer. Maybe you can even impress them with this list. However, remember to drink moderately and stay safe always. 

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