People v. Wheelock

By the Court, T. R. Strong, J.

The word “beer,” in its ordinary sense, denotes a beverage which is intoxicating, and is within the fair meaning of the words “strong or spiritous liquors,” used in the statutes applicable to this case. (Webs. Dict., “Beer;” Nevin v. Ladue, 3 Denio, 43; same case in error, id., 437.) Some qualifying word may be used in connection with the word “beer,” as “root beer,” “molasses beer,” &c., and the two together signify a drink which is not intoxicating, and it may also be shown, by proving the materials and the mode of production of what is called “beer,” that it…