Near beer

That which we now have, and called near beer, with less than a half per cent of alcohol, is not drinkable, it is not palatable, it is not good, it is no part of a meal, nor can it be made a part of a meal.

Maybe that near beer was nearer than he thought.

2016, "Lawmakers wade into debate over grocery store beer," Kristen Wyatt, Associated Press A bill moving through the state Legislature would allow more grocery stores to sell beer stronger than 3.2 percent alcohol, or “near beer.”