After a nice little holiday season hiatus, we finally managed to get together for another SALEP meeting (despite #snowpolcalypse keeping half of our members at home). Doug was in charge this time around and chose a topic near and dear to his heart: beer cocktails!
Beer Cocktail: A libation made by mixing beer with another beverage
Category 1: beer + a non-alcoholic drink
Category 1: beer + a non-alcoholic drink
Example: Radler
3 parts German Lager or Pilsner + 2 parts Lemonade
Literally meaning “cyclist” in German, this blend was invented
in 1922 by Munich bartender Franz Xaver Kugler. Finding his beer garden over
run by “13,000” cyclists on a hot summer day, Kugler saw his beer was starting to
run out. To keep up with demand, Kugler mixed the remaining beer with lemonade
and pretended he created the mix especially
for the cyclists so that they could drive home without the risk of falling off
their bicycle. During the summer months, radler is still very popular in
Bavaria and the rest of Germany, due to its reputation of being a
thirst-quencher. Many beer gardens will sell premixed radlers or will refill a
half empty beer with lemonade.
Category 2: beer + beer
Example: Black and Tan
1 part Guinness + 1 part Harp Lager
Originated in England, the first written records show Black and Tans
dating back to 1889, but many believe they date further back, all the way to the
1700s. The drink is not served in Ireland due its controversial name: the term
“Black and Tan” is a reference to the uniforms of British paramilitary forces
who opposed Irish independence in the 1920s and the name is seen as contentious
and disrespectful.
Category 3: beer + spirit + other stuff
Example: Mai Ta-IPA
1 ½ oz IPA Ninkasi Total Domination IPA + 2 oz aged rum +
1 oz lime juice + ½ oz orgeat + ½ oz triple sec
Created by acclaimed mixologist Jacob Grier, this hoppy
summer drink is Grier’s answer to the traditional syrupy island drink. As Jacob writes on his blog, "the classic Mai Tai offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spirituous
elements. It doesn’t offer anything bitter. The addition of a hoppy IPA brings
just a touch of bitterness to the drink while the carbonation makes it
deliciously light and frothy."
Where to Find Beer Cocktails in Portland:
Try: Horse Blanket
What: IPA,
whiskey, bitters
Why: Some may call
it “one of the top five cocktails in Portland” (Quote: Doug Franz)
Try: Averna Stout Flip
What: Averna, stout, egg, bitters, nutmeg
Why: Head bartender Jacob Grier is the godfather of beer
cocktails, creator of the Mai Ta-IPA and forthcoming book, Cocktails on Tap:The Art of Mixing Spirits And Beer.
Try: Radler
What: See above
Why: Mixing the house Lager and lemonade, it’s a perfect
thirst quencher while sitting on Hopwork’s
outside patio.
Try: Rubinator
What: Terminator Stout + Ruby
Why: If you have to be at a McMenamins, might as well make the best of it. McMenamins' chocolatey stout with its raspberry ale is a winning combo every time (especially when paired with Cajun tots).
Past SALEP Topics: