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draft

DRAFT /drɑːft/

nounadjectiveB1IELTSTOEFL

neutralinformal

Beer or other beverage drawn directly from a cask, keg, or barrel rather than served from a bottle or can.

Refers specifically to fresh liquid drawn via tap system, conveying freshness and draft system mechanics.

The story behind the word. The word traces back to Old English dragan, meaning to draw or pull. In brewing history, liquid was drawn or pulled from wooden casks using a mechanical hand pump or gravity valve. The term evolved to designate any beverage served directly from the barrel.

Word relationships

tap: Tap emphasizes the physical valve, whereas draft emphasizes the drawn liquid itself.

bottled: Bottled liquids are sealed individually in glass containers rather than drawn from a central keg.

Commonly confused with

draught: 'Draught' is the traditional British spelling for beverage service, air currents, or drawing loads.

Word family

draftiness (noun): The state of having cool currents of air (related homonym form).

Collocations

on draft
draft beer
draft system
draft cider

Idioms & expressions

on draft (readily available or served from a tap)

Example sentences

"The pub had twelve distinct craft beers available on draft." Hospitality ordering
"He sat in the corner booth with a tall cold draft of dark ale before him." Literature citation

Memory hook

Think of DRAWING liquid out of a keg — draft is beer DRAWN straight from tap. Drawn directly from the barrel.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'draught/draft' meaning a current of cool air or an initial written outline, though spelled identically in American English.

Fun facts

In British English, 'draught' is preferred for beer on tap, while 'draft' is used for rough sketches.