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Pub Terminology & Definitions

A comprehensive guide to pub terminology, beer styles, abbreviations, and definitions to help you understand the language of British pubs.

Whether you're new to pub culture or a seasoned regular, this glossary explains the terms, abbreviations, and beer styles you'll encounter on Tap Tap Pub and in British pubs.

Hover over terms throughout the site to see quick definitions, or use this page as a comprehensive reference guide.

Showing 35 terms

Abbreviations

ABV(Alcohol By Volume)

Abbreviations

ABV (Alcohol by Volume) is the percentage of pure alcohol in a drink. For example, a beer with 4.5% ABV contains 4.5% pure alcohol per volume of liquid.

IBU(International Bitterness Units)

Abbreviations

A scale measuring beer bitterness, ranging from 0 (no bitterness) to 100+ (very bitter). Most beers range from 10-50 IBU.

PDF(Portable Document Format)

Abbreviations

A file format for documents that preserves formatting and can be viewed on any device. PDFs are commonly used for menus, brochures, and other documents.

Beer Styles

Amber Ale

Beer Styles

A medium-bodied ale with amber to copper colour, balancing malt sweetness with hop bitterness.

Belgian Ale

Beer Styles

A diverse category of ales from Belgium, often featuring fruity, spicy yeast character and complex flavours.

Bitter

Beer Styles

A traditional British ale, typically amber-coloured and moderately hopped. The most common type of cask ale served in British pubs.

Blonde Ale

Beer Styles

A light-coloured ale with a clean, crisp flavour profile. Easy-drinking and approachable.

Brown Ale

Beer Styles

A dark-coloured ale with nutty, caramel flavours. A traditional British style, often sweet and malty.

Cider

Beer Styles

An alcoholic beverage made from fermented apple juice. Can range from dry to sweet, still to sparkling.

IPA(India Pale Ale)

Beer Styles

A hoppy beer style originally brewed for export to India. Known for strong hop flavour and aroma, typically golden to amber in colour.

Lager

Beer Styles

A beer fermented at low temperatures, typically crisp and clean. The most popular beer style worldwide, including brands like Carling and Fosters.

Pale Ale

Beer Styles

A golden to amber-coloured ale with noticeable hop character. Lighter in colour than traditional ales, with a balanced flavour profile.

Pilsner

Beer Styles

A type of lager originating from Pilsen, Czech Republic. Light, golden, and crisp with a distinctive hop character.

Porter

Beer Styles

A dark beer similar to stout but typically lighter in body. Originated in London, known for chocolate and coffee notes.

Saison

Beer Styles

A Belgian farmhouse ale, typically fruity, spicy, and highly carbonated. Originally brewed for farmworkers.

Sour

Beer Styles

A beer style intentionally brewed to be tart or sour, often with fruit flavours. Includes styles like Berliner Weisse and Gose.

Stout

Beer Styles

A dark beer made with roasted barley, known for rich, coffee-like flavours and creamy texture. Examples include Guinness and milk stout.

Wheat Beer

Beer Styles

A beer brewed with a significant proportion of wheat, often hazy in appearance with a light, refreshing character.

Pub Types

Cocktail Bar

Pub Types

A bar specialising in cocktails, often with skilled bartenders and an extensive spirits selection.

Craft Beer Pub

Pub Types

A pub specialising in independently brewed, artisanal beers. Often features rotating taps and rare or local brews.

Gastropub

Pub Types

A pub that serves high-quality food alongside drinks, combining the atmosphere of a traditional pub with restaurant-quality cuisine.

Sports Bar

Pub Types

A pub or bar with multiple screens showing live sports events, often with a lively atmosphere during matches.

Traditional Pub

Pub Types

A classic British pub focusing on cask ales, traditional atmosphere, and community gathering. Often features real ale and pub games.

Wine Bar

Pub Types

A bar specialising in wine, often offering a wide selection by the glass and bottle, sometimes with light food options.

General Terms

Allocate

General Terms

To assign a subscription or advertising package to a specific pub. After purchasing a package, pub owners can allocate it to their verified pub listing to activate the features.

Cask

General Terms

A container used to store and serve real ale. Cask ale is served directly from the cask, typically using a hand pump or gravity dispense, without additional carbonation.

Claim

General Terms

The process by which pub owners or managers verify ownership of their pub listing on Tap Tap Pub. Claiming a pub requires verification and grants access to the pub dashboard for managing information, reviews, and analytics.

Hand Pull

General Terms

A traditional beer pump used to serve cask ale. The pump is operated by hand, pulling the beer from the cask in the cellar to the bar.

Package

General Terms

An advertising or service tier offered by Tap Tap Pub, such as Standard, Featured, or Tap Club. Packages include various features like priority placement, analytics, and promotional tools.

Real Ale

General Terms

A traditional British beer that is brewed and served from a cask without additional carbonation. Real ale continues to ferment in the cask, giving it natural carbonation and flavour.

Receipt

General Terms

A payment confirmation document for subscriptions or purchases. All receipts are available in your Profile Page, accessible by clicking your name in the top right corner of the website.

Session Beer

General Terms

A beer with lower alcohol content (typically 3-4% ABV) designed to be consumed in multiple servings during a "session" without becoming too intoxicated.

Stripe

General Terms

A third-party payment processing platform used by Tap Tap Pub for secure payment transactions. All subscription payments are processed through Stripe's secure checkout system.

Subscription

General Terms

A recurring payment plan for advertising packages on Tap Tap Pub. Subscriptions can be monthly, annual, or biennial, and automatically renew unless cancelled with 14 days' notice.

Verification

General Terms

The process of confirming pub ownership or management authority. Pub owners must provide proof (such as a premises licence or business documentation) before their claim is verified and they can access management features. You can also claim by phone verification via the pub's phone number.

Accessibility Note: This glossary page is part of our commitment to making Tap Tap Pub accessible to all users. Terms throughout the site include tooltips for quick reference, and this page provides a comprehensive guide for those who prefer a dedicated reference.

For more information about our accessibility features, visit our Website Accessibility page.