Last weekend I found myself at our local beer festival.
Confession time: I don’t actually like beer – at least not the heavy ales you often find at these events. But the atmosphere was buzzing, the burgers were delicious, and my friends were delighted to have a designated driver… moi !
It got me thinking though. Since many of you may be enjoying a last few summer get-togethers, perhaps you’d like some handy vocabulary for ordering a beer in France. After all, the evenings are still warm, the terraces are busy, and on a soif (we’re thirsty)!
So, let’s dive into the essentials.
How thirsty are you? Beer sizes in France
- un galopin or un bock – the smallest glass size (125 ml)
- un demi – a 250 ml glass, literally a “half” (half of une chope)
- une chope or une pinte – a 500 ml glass
If you’d like a draft beer, ask for une pression.
Types of beer
- une bière brune – a stout
- une bière blonde – a lager
- une bière blanche – a white, Belgian-style beer
- une bière ambrée – an amber ale
- une bière rousse – a red-coloured malt beer
You can also order by brand: un Pelforth, un Leffe, un Kronenbourg, par exemple.
In fact, instead of asking for une bière, many people simply say un demi.
Fruity twists and summer favourites
The French love to mix beer with lemonade or fruity syrups – a little like our lager and lime. Here are some you might spot on a menu:
- un panaché – a lager shandy
- un demi-pêche – a lager with peach cordial
- un demi-citron – a lager with lemon cordial
- un demi-fraise – a lager with strawberry cordial
- un tango – a lager with grenadine
- un monaco – a lager shandy with grenadine
My personal favourite on a balmy summer evening? Definitely un demi-pêche. Light, refreshing, and perfect for late August nights.
Why this matters for your French
One of the joys of learning a language is connecting with people in everyday situations – and nothing is more everyday than ordering a drink. Getting the words right not only makes things smoother with the waiter, it also helps you feel part of the atmosphere. Imagine being able to confidently say “C’est ma tournée !” and hearing your friends cheer as you head to the bar.
It’s also worth remembering that a lot of language learning happens outside the classroom. Terraces, cafés, and festivals give you the perfect chance to practise. Even if you only say “un demi, s’il vous plaît”, you’re flexing your French in real life – and that’s where the magic happens.
Key phrases to remember
- On a soif = we are thirsty
- J’ai soif = I am thirsty
- C’est ma tournée ? = Is it my round?
- Je voudrais une bière, s’il vous plaît. = I would like a beer, please.
So, what about you? If you were sitting on a terrace in France right now, what would you order?
Let me know – I’d love to hear!
Frannie x
Join over 5K other learners in my FREE Facebook community, Sound More French with Frannie!
This is a fabulously friendly place where you can connect with other learners and pick up French gems: new vocabulary/expressions and tips to help you improve your French.
Recent Comments