Green’s Dictionary of Slang

bit by... phr.

In phrases

bit by a barn-mouse (also bit by a barn weasel) [? the barn-mouse consumes barley, from which beer is brewed]

drunk.

1635		T. Heywood The drunkard 60: No man must call a Good-fellow Drunkard [...] But if at any time they spy that defect one in another, they may without any forfeit or iust exceptions taken, say [...] He hath bit his Grannam, or is bit by a Barn weasel.
1650		Eighth Liberal Science n.p.: [as 1635].
1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn) n.p.: No man ought to call a Good-fellow a Drunkard; but [...] he may without a forfeit say he [...] is bit by a barn Weesel, &c.
1700		‘The Art of Drinking’ in Wit’s Cabinet 138: He has been bit by a Barn-weasel.
c.1786		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue ms. additions n.p.: Barn Mouse bit by a Barn Mouse. Tipsey probably an allusion to Barley.
1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue (2nd, 3rd edn) n.p.: Bit by a barn mouse, tipsey, probably from an allusion to barley.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1933		‘William Juniper’ True Drunkard’s Delight 225: Our tippler [...] has been bit by a barnmouse.

bit by the brewer’s dog

(US) drunk.

1943

J. Mitchell McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon (2001) 78: He’s certainly under the influence [...] I reckon he was bit by the brewer’s dog.

bit by the tavern bitch (also tavern bitch has bit him in the head)

drunk.

1607

Middleton A Trick to Catch the Old One IV v: Faith, the same man still; the tavern bitch has bit him i’ th’ head.