\Near beer\
Any of various malt liquors (see Citation).
      Near beer is a term of common currency used to
      designate all that class of malt liquors which contain
      so little alcohol that they will not produce
      intoxication, though drunk to excess, and includes in
      its meaning all malt liquors which are not within the
      purview of the general prohibition law.  --Cambell v.
                                               City of
                                               Thomasville,
                                               Georgia Appeal
                                               Records, 6
                                               212.