cerveza de barril
/θeɾbeθa de baril/from spelling rules
The English phrase "beer on tap" can be translated into Spanish as cerveza de barril.
This phrase refers to beer served from a keg through a faucet rather than from a bottle or can. You may also use the phrase cerveza de grifo in many Spanish-speaking countries to describe beer served from a tap.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cerveza de barril literally translates to "beer of barrel".
Which one should you use?
Use cerveza de barril specifically to distinguish the drink from cerveza de botella (bottled beer) or cerveza de lata (canned beer).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some South American countries, such as Chile and Ecuador, the term chop is used to refer to beer on tap. In Spain, the informal word caña is used to refer specifically to a small glass of tap beer.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, ordering a caña is less about the drink and more about a social ritual of standing at a bar and chatting.
- The word cerveza has its roots in the Latin word cervēs(i)a, which is an ancient ancestor of the modern Spanish term.
- If you are in a Spanish bar and want a small, refreshing glass of tap beer, ask for a caña. While it literally means 'cane' or 'reed', in a drinking context, it refers to the specific way a small glass of draught beer is served.
Examples in context
- Por favor, me gustaría una cerveza tirada.Please, I would like a beer on tap.
- Oye, ¿me puedes traer una chela de barril?Hey, can you bring me a draft beer?
- Tienen cerveza de barril aquí.They have beer on tap here.
- ¿Es esta una cerveza de barril?Is this a beer on tap?
- Prefiero la cerveza de barril.I prefer beer on tap.
Example conversation
At a local bar, a man and a woman are looking at the menu.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿tienen cerveza de barril?Alejandro, do they have beer on tap?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, hay tres tipos diferentes.Yes, Elena, there are three different types.
- Elena¡Qué bueno! Quiero una.That's great! I want one.
- AlejandroYo también pediré una cerveza de barril.I will also order a beer on tap.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barril, cerveza, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
