""small beer" which had something like a 0.5% alcohol content, much like most modern canned beers."
Not going to bite on the obvious drivel .., but I'll take the opportunity to point out that "small beer" can mean a couple of things in the brewer's canon. All are worth perusing/persuing at home, some for historical knowledge (how far we've come), and some because they are a really valuable addition to your beer fridge and brewing budget ... particularly the second runnings version.
Don't worry ... few variations on the theme are as low as 0.5%.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
