How do I order a beer from a bar?

13 comments

1. Look at the beer list, or look at the tap handles, and ask the bar tender for a beer.

   Note that most places serve beer in US pints, 16 oz. Some will have 20-22 oz glasses though.

2. If you’re standing at the bar, look at the taps. If you’re at a table, there’s frequently a printed list of beers, or a QR code, or ask your server what’s on tap.

   “I’ll have a Bell’s Two Hearted”. If they offer different sizes, they’ll ask “tall or short”…short is usually a US conical pint of 16 oz, a tall is typically 22 oz.

   The only places that do British imperial pints are UK-themed pubs and not even all of them do them. We use the units that are customary here.

3. The same way you do almost anywhere else in the world.

   The only difference in the US is its common to have way more different things on tap, so ordering a specific thing can be helpful. If so there will usually be a list (a lot of places rotate their taps, so the list is pretty fluid).

   Its also perfectly acceptable to let the server or bartender pick something. “I don’t really know any of these, but I like stouts. Surprise me.”

4. Look at the beer they have available and order the one you want

5. Exactly how you order a beer in the UK: you ask for one.

   If you don’t mind the question, where are you going? Look into some of the local brews, the local craft beer is probably going to be better than any national brand.

6. It’s not common to ask for “a pint of __” but they’ll know what you mean and you won’t look stupid! They’ll probably just give you a glass that’s slightly smaller than you’re used to.

   There will be a list of what they have on tap, and often a list of cans/bottles too. You can just say “can I have a __ please?” Or you could just say something like “I’m new here, is there anything you have on tap that you recommend?”

   Enjoy your trip!

7. If you go to a craft beer place there will be a menu displayed prominently. It is typical that people take time with their decision making.

   You can order a ‘tasting flight’ which is four ounce pours of 4 to 6 beers.

8. * Look at the tap list and order from there.
   * The list will tell the the serving size. The most common is 16oz (pint) but some might be larger or smaller depending on the ABV. Some places might offer multiple sizes (half pours are becoming more common)
   * If you can’t find a list, ask the bartender to see one.
   * Or you can ask the bar tender the style of beer you’re looking for and what they have on tap.
   * Just looking at the tap handle doesn’t always tell you what type of beer it is.
   * Or you can order one of the following. 95% of bars will have these: Budweiser, Guinness, Miller, Corona, Coors

   **Pro Tip**

   If at a brewery, ask for a flight. It’s a great way to try a lot of different styles of beer. The most common being:

   * Pilsner
   * Lager
   * Saison – spiced beer
   * Kolsche – light and refreshing
   * Blonde Ales – light and refreshing
   * IPA – West Coast style is bitter, East Coast style is juicier, Sessions have lower abv
   * Ales – Wheat, Brown, Red, Golden, etc
   * Stouts
   * Porters
   * Sours – Gose, Gueze, misc Fruity Beer

   You also might see some high ABV barreled aged or imperial beers

   **Important**

   Tip $1 per drink. Most places you can either pay as you go or you can open a tab which may or may not require a credit card.

9. As mentioned, you’ll likely have way more selection. Most certainly they will have a beer list somewhere (or just look at the taps). Definitely try local stuff wherever you go.

   I believe another difference is a lot of craft breweries will have table service (e.g., a waitress) if you don’t sit directly at the bar. Often a hostess will ask you if prefer to sit at the bar or a table.

   They’ll also likely ask if you want to run a tab. They may take and hold your credit card. Let the bartender or waitress know you want to close out and they will apply the costs, with an option for you to tip, on the bill. If you’re sitting at the bar, you can tip at the end with your card or give cash after each drink as a tip (typically $1/beer). Don’t forget to tip.

   Local craft places that make their own may offer flights. So you can get 4-6 oz of 3 or 4 different beers. If you want to try a bunch of stuff.

10. Unlike in UK pubs it’s not pay-as-you-go here every time you approach the bar. Typically you run a tab and pay when done drinking. Sometimes the barkeep with ask to hold a credit card behind the bar to keep you from drinking-and-dashing.

11. There’s no typical American bar… they all have different methods of serving drinks, and you kinda just have to figure it out. It sucks because I swear some bartenders have never been to a place that does it differently than they do and will act offended when you don’t know their procedure. Then there are bartenders that’ll give you a tour of the bar, be your best friend, and put the first round on the house.

12. If you order a pint here you’d be pretty disappointed. The US Customary pint is smaller than the Imperial pint. Ours is about 83% the size of yours.

    Most bars don’t serve by the pint. 20 oz is the standard (and it’s about 1.04 times larger than your 20 oz), but you’ll find bars that serve it in different sizes.

    Also, don’t just ask for “whatever you have on tap”. Most places will have a variety and if you ask for “whatever” the bartender will most likely then tell you the options and ask you to pick. Usually the tap will be right on top of the bar and the handle for each tap will identify what kind of beer it is. You can ask for one specifically or ask what they have on tap and pick one.

    Usually I’d say something like, “Can I get a [insert beer name]”. If they have a variety of sizes they’ll ask which size you want.

13. Bottles and cans are widely available as are taps. But not all will have all available. Some bars and restaurants may not have taps. Others may only have taps, like some independent breweries.

    Different sizes of beers are uncommon, but not unheard of. USually for taps, its all one size. But if there is a difference, they’ll let you know.

    Some bars might have deals on “buckets” where you’ll get several cans or bottles of beer in a bucket filled with ice. Its usually a pretty cheap beer made even cheaper with the deal. Think Miller, Bud, PBR, stuff like that.