near beer

American  

noun

1. any of several malt beverages that are similar to beer but are usually considered nonalcoholic because they have an alcoholic content of less than ½ percent.

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Etymology

Origin of near beer

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

That’s because the only way to make near beer was to start with strong beer and then go through one of various processes to reduce the alcohol level.

From Washington Times • Jan. 27, 2020

The state's largest grocers — King Soopers, Safeway and Albertsons — said they may still run multimillion-dollar ballot campaigns this fall to end the "near beer" requirements once and for all.

From US News • Jun. 10, 2016

Q.What Prohibition-era character would you most like to have a near beer with?

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2015

If we all tweeted like Roberts, there would be no war, no hunger, no petty squabbles, no designated hitter, no near beer.

From Slate • Jun. 17, 2011

There was a highly indigestible chocolate cake sodden enough to serve as a boat's anchor, a great quantity of jumbo pickles, and a dozen bottles of near beer.

From Stubble by Looms, George