Question for you Yanks

"Jaaag Hartley" (05hartleyjack)
08/27/2013 at 11:58 • Filed to: General Question

I know I can't order one over there for a year and a bit because of your insanely strict drinking laws, but what do you guys call a pint of beer?

Like what do you order at the bar instead of "Can I have a pint of (Beer name) please?" or is it the same?

DISCUSSION (36)

ddavidn > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 11:59

That's what I do. Or it gets shortened to "I'll have a ____."

dogisbadob > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 11:59

Just say the beer name.

And of course, the insanely strict laws don't stop "underage" drinking one bit.

AbigGRNboot > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:00

A beer.

For Sweden > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:00

It's called a pint of beer. However, it's not disgusting because Americans use toothpaste.

PRBot II > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:00

The same.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:01

Very often is "a < beername>", which is usually not served in pints. Some fancy places might have "in a tall glass" for their on-tap, which would be pint-ish.

If you go to a Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant (which you should be doing in the States anyway) and order on-tap, it's likely to be served in whatever their normal glass is - often about a pint. May carry over to some other types of restaurants to a degree, pizza places etc.

Takuro Spirit > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:03

"can of _____"

"glass of ____" if they have it on tap as well as in the can.

Jagvar > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:04

Just "a beer." But if I don't feel like drinking a bottle, I'll ask "What's on tap?"

Brewman15 > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:05

At a microbrewery or a place known for beer, I ask for a pint.

At a crappy bar I'll ask for a draft beer.

Other times, I just ask for a glass of ____.

Party-vi > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:07

I'll have a *insert brew name here* please. If you're ordering from a restaurant they generally give you a bottle of the beer in question. If you order draft they will usually ask you for what size. Most recently I was asked if I'd like a 16oz (pint) or 22oz.

desertdog5051 > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:11

16 ounces.

maximillious > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:14

I use "pint" of _____. Unless of course i am ordering a can or bottle in which case i usually request a "Tall boy" of _____.

I know some of my friends use pint as well when ordering but not all. Most often from others I hear. " Can I have a _______" the blank being the beers name.

Disclaimer: I lived in the UK for a year and many of my friend have been in Europe for extended periods, which may explain our choice of words. Also we live in Milwaukee.... because binge drink!

maximillious > maximillious
08/27/2013 at 12:14

Also, I will say pint to indicate that I prefer the Tap over the bottle/can if they have the same beer in both formats

davedave1111 > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:17

In the States, you never order beer unless you're at a special beer place/brewpub/whatever, so the question won't come up.

If you do happen to be ordering a beer, though, make sure you order a pint in your best English accent: American girls (or guys, if that's your thing) love English accents.

Brian Tschiegg > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:20

Kinja'd!!!

I have no idea what a pint is, sir.

(Always ask what's on draft, and they usually have better deals on a larger volume of beer.)

Takuro Spirit > maximillious
08/27/2013 at 12:21

You must go to bars on the East Side. If you went to bars I've been, they'd probably kick you out for calling it a 'pint'.

Or at the least look at you funny.

hollanddjw 1 > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:32

"Can I get a(n) _____?"

Quantity is usually only specified when buying in bulk, i.e. "a case of ____," "a 6(or however many)-pack of _____," "a keg of _____".

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 12:49

Beer comes not in pints?

I know you can get stuff in bottles, but I wouldn't call most of that 'beer'.

delete-me-please123 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/27/2013 at 12:54

Only texas could ruin Mexican food.

MauritiusMauritia > delete-me-please123
08/27/2013 at 13:02

Clearly you aren't eating at the right places.

http://pappasitos.com/home/

http://www.unclejulios.com/

http://www.fuzzystacoshop.com/

Also, we say draught off of a selection that is offered 'on tap'. Often from there you are offered a variety of sizes from 8 oz, 16 oz, to 32 oz.

JEM > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 13:10

We usually do without the formality and pleasantries and either say:

"Can I get a Sam Light?" (Sam Adams Light for example)

or less refined places (sports bars)

"Gimme a Coors Light"

please don't drink Bud/Coors/Miller while over here. If you're going to slum it, try a better American "factory" brew like Naragansett, Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR), or Yuengling - all depends which region you'll be in. Sure, you won't be able to drink in bars but that really never stops any 20 year old in the US.

delete-me-please123 > MauritiusMauritia
08/27/2013 at 13:11

Chain restaurants? With websites?

maximillious > Takuro Spirit
08/27/2013 at 13:13

I do frequent the east side, lower east side and River West area, occasionally bay view, but there is not one place in milwaukee I have ever heard of that would scold you for ordering alcohol wrong. What bars do you go to that would be offended by that term?

Takuro Spirit > maximillious
08/27/2013 at 13:16

None anymore, I do my drinking at home where it's cheap, and there's no DUI's.

MauritiusMauritia > delete-me-please123
08/27/2013 at 13:17

It's Taco Tuesday today, so I'll forgive your ignorance.

bkempert > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
08/27/2013 at 13:51

Kinja'd!!!

Your argument is invalid.

GreenN_Gold > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 14:02

I usually just name a beer, and they will offer me bottle or draught if they happen to have both for that beer.

You can say pint, nobody will look at you funny, they will just talk about you behind your back with a general distrust. ;)

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 15:07

Most of the time, a pint is 16oz. The exception is Guinness, served as the imperial pint you're accustomed to.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Jaaag Hartley
08/27/2013 at 16:32

Weird. I've always just ordered a pint of whatever. They're called pint glasses for a reason right?

I dunno I've only lived in Seattle and Portland since I've been old enough to drink though. Both cities are notable for their beer snobbishness, 'specially Portland.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > bkempert
08/27/2013 at 17:07

I stand corrected.

But tell me it wouldn't be improved if it was sold in a pint glass...

TheKingOfBirds > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
08/27/2013 at 19:22

Bottle is just a container. As are kegs, casks, cans etc. Absolutely pour it into a glass when it's time.

a cat named scruffy- live from Caldor > Jaaag Hartley
08/28/2013 at 00:40

Sooo... do people order beer in other sizes than pints over there?

Do they sell it in quarts? half gallons? gallons, liters?

Yes I'm serious.

I've never heard of anyone ordering anything but a pint and if a pint is the only size you can get why do you still have to specify that you want a pint?

bkempert > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
08/28/2013 at 07:55

I can't lie, you are right. A beer that comes in a bottle must be poured into a glass. How about we are both right? :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > bkempert
08/28/2013 at 11:21

I'll toast to that :)

Jaaag Hartley > a cat named scruffy- live from Caldor
08/28/2013 at 16:03

You can get a pint, half-pint or a bottle (they vary in size)

Saying "I want a pint" is mainly tradition, if you say "Can i have a guinness" they will get you a pint of guinness unless you state otherwise (eg 'Can i have a half of guinness')

a cat named scruffy- live from Caldor > Jaaag Hartley
08/28/2013 at 16:06

Thanks, this is something I've always wondered about when I watch UK TV shows.