Short beer


A short beer was a serving size of beer once common in New York City, being a reduced portion of beer for a reduced price. Writer David McAninch reflected on the past tradition for the New York Times:
Short beer, in Britain,, was used to describe a beer brewed for a short period of time to kill off bugs in it so making it safe to drink, as the water was often unhealthy.

In popular culture

The 1939 Merrie Melodies feature A Day at the Zoo features a parrot who in response to being offered a cracker says "nah, gimme a short beer."
The popular radio program “Fibber McGee and Molly” featured a character, Horatio K. Boomer, who would often have in his pocket a bill for a short beer.