Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Beer \Beer\, n. [OE. beor, ber, AS. be['o]r; akin to Fries.
   biar, Icel. bj?rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E.
   brew. [root]93, See {Brew}.]
   1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but
      commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other
      substance to impart a bitter flavor.

   Note: Beer has different names, as {small beer}, {ale},
         {porter}, {brown stout}, {lager beer}, according to its
         strength, or other qualities. See {Ale}.

   2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of
      various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.

   {Small beer}, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. ``To
      suckle fools, and chronicle small beer.'' --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

beer
     n : a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a
         cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops