Chope vs. cerveja de pressão vs. imperial vs. fino
While chope, cerveja de pressão, imperial, and fino all refer to draft beer (beer served from a keg rather than a bottle), the difference lies entirely in geography. Chope is the standard term in Brazil. In Portugal, cerveja de pressão is the technical description, while imperial and fino are the colloquial terms used to order a glass, depending on whether you are in the south or north of the country.
Chope
A2This is the primary word used in Brazil to refer to draft beer. It is often spelled chopp on signs but chope is the correct spelling. It refers to unpasteurized beer served from a barrel under pressure.
O garçom trouxe um chope bem gelado com colarinho alto.
(The waiter brought a very cold draft beer with a high head of foam.)
Vamos sair mais cedo para aproveitar o desconto no chope.
(Let's leave earlier to take advantage of the discount on draft beer.)
No Brasil, nada combina melhor com feijoada do que um bom chope.
(In Brazil, nothing goes better with black bean stew than a good draft beer.)
Cerveja de pressão
B1This is the descriptive, formal term used in Portugal, literally translating to pressure beer. You will see this written on menus to distinguish it from bottled beer, but locals rarely use this phrase when actually verbally ordering a drink.
Este bar é famoso pela sua excelente seleção de cerveja de pressão.
(This bar is famous for its excellent selection of draft beer.)
Prefiro cerveja de pressão porque acho o sabor mais fresco que o da garrafa.
(I prefer draft beer because I find the flavor fresher than that of the bottle.)
O restaurante servia apenas vinho e cerveja de pressão nacional.
(The restaurant served only wine and domestic draft beer.)
Imperial
A2This is the specific term for a glass of draft beer (usually 20cl) in Lisbon and the south of Portugal (Algarve). It originates from an old beer brand named Imperial. If you ask for this in the north of Portugal, they will understand you, but identify you as a southerner or tourist.
Em Lisboa, é tradição pedir uma imperial e um prato de caracóis no verão.
(In Lisbon, it is a tradition to order a draft beer and a plate of snails in the summer.)
Por favor, traga uma imperial para mim e um copo de água.
(Please bring a glass of draft beer for me and a glass of water.)
Ficámos na esplanada a beber uma imperial enquanto o sol se punha.
(We stayed on the terrace drinking a draft beer while the sun went down.)
Fino
A2This is the term for a glass of draft beer in Porto and the north of Portugal. It refers to the traditional tall, slender glass the beer is served in. Using this word in Lisbon is rare, though generally understood.
Quando fores ao Porto, tens de pedir um fino para acompanhar a francesinha.
(When you go to Porto, you have to order a draft beer to accompany the francesinha sandwich.)
Ele pediu um fino ao balcão assim que chegou ao café.
(He ordered a draft beer at the counter as soon as he arrived at the café.)
No Norte, diz-se fino em vez de imperial.
(In the North, one says fino instead of imperial.)
Summary
To summarize the geography: use chope if you are in Brazil. If you are in Portugal, cerveja de pressão is the category written on menus, but to order a glass, you must choose based on the city. Use imperial in Lisbon and the south, and use fino in Porto and the north.