From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Beer has different names, as small beer, ale,
porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its
strength, or other qualities. See Ale.
[1913 Webster]
2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of
various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.
[1913 Webster]
Small beer, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. "To
suckle fools, and chronicle small beer." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]