Definition

Noun: 1. A type of alcoholic beverage: A malt liquor is a style of beer, typically a lager, characterized by a high alcohol content. Legally, in some jurisdictions, its alcohol by volume (ABV) exceeds the maximum allowed for products labeled simply as "beer" or "lager," requiring a different classification.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He bought a 40-ounce bottle of malt liquor from the store.
  • The brewery specializes in producing strong malt liquors.
  • By law, this beverage must be labeled as malt liquor, not beer, due to its high alcohol content.

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Regulatory Context: The term "malt liquor" often has a specific legal definition related to alcohol content, distinguishing it from standard beers. It is not merely a descriptive term for flavor.
  • The tax code treats malt liquor differently because of its higher alcohol percentage.

Variants and Related Words

• Malt beverage: A broader term that can include beers, ales, and malt liquors.
• High-gravity beer: An informal industry term sometimes used synonymously with malt liquor, referring to the high original sugar (gravity) content that ferments into more alcohol.

Synonyms

• High-alcohol lager
• Strong beer (Note: This is a descriptive synonym, but "malt liquor" is the specific legal/commercial term.)

Notes on Meaning

• Key Distinction: While all malt liquors are beers, not all beers are malt liquors. The primary defining characteristic is the elevated alcohol content, which places it in a distinct legal category in markets where such a definition exists.
• Cultural Connotation: In some contexts, particularly in the United States, "malt liquor" is associated with specific brands, packaging (e.g., large, 40-ounce bottles), and market segments, beyond its strict legal definition.

Noun

1. a lager of high alcohol content; by law it is considered too alcoholic to be sold as lager or beer