Definition of draught

The word "draught" originally meant a draft or a rough sketch in Old English, as it stems from the Old English word "draght," which translated roughly to "drawing" or "drawing out." This meaning of the word still exists today in architectural and artistic contexts, where a draught refers to a preliminary sketch or design. However, the word also came to be associated with beer in the middle of the 19th century, particularly in the UK. The term "draught" started to be used by publicans to describe beer that had not been artificially carbonated and sold on tap, as opposed to bottled or canned beer, which is carbonated under pressure. This method of serving uncarbonated beer required a hand pump called a "beer engine" to transfer beer from the cask to the glass, which became known as serving beer on "handpull" or "hand-draught." Over time, "draught" came to represent a style of beer that is served this way, and it is often called "real ale" as it is naturally conditioned and unfiltered, unlike some modern bottled and canned beers. The term "draft" is often used in the US and Canada to describe beer served in this way, although it may refer to either carbonated or uncarbonated beer.