Mixing Beer With Spirits: What's The Verdict?

Beer is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other alcoholic drinks to create unique cocktails. While there is a common belief that mixing different types of alcohol can lead to a worse hangover, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. The saying beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer, you're in the clear doesn't hold much weight, as it's not the combination of drinks that affects how drunk you get, but rather the total amount consumed and the order of consumption. Beer cocktails, also known as beertails, offer a range of flavours and can be a fun way to spice up classic drinks like the mimosa, Bloody Mary, or margarita.

Can Beer Be Mixed with Other Alcoholic Drinks?

Beer cocktails

Margarita with a Twist

Take the classic mix of tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice, shake it up, and then top it off with a Mexican lager like Modelo Especial for a refreshing summer drink.

Rye House Spring Beer Cocktail

This seasonal cocktail is a unique combination of genever, applejack, loganberry liqueur, lime juice, and ginger syrup, topped with lager beer. It's the perfect drink to welcome warmer weather.

Grapefruit Cooler

A refreshing take on the Mexican classic, this cocktail combines tequila and Stiegl radler with fresh grapefruit and lime juices. It's a tall, cool, and slightly stronger version of a Paloma.

Michelada

A savoury brunchtime drink that might just beat the Bloody Mary, the Michelada is made with a Mexican lager, lime juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and an array of spices. You can also add a small pour of joven mezcal for a smoky twist.

Greyhound with a Beer Twist

A fun take on the classic Greyhound, this cocktail replaces the grapefruit juice with grapefruit-flavoured wheat beer from Schöfferhofer, adding a savoury and slightly bitter note to the drink.

Here Comes the Sun

This cocktail from Washington, D.C.'s Roofers Union combines rye whiskey, ginger, lemon, and a splash of wheat beer. The wheat beer ties the citrus and spice elements together, giving the drink a refreshing fizz.

Blackberry-Chipotle Michelada

A unique cocktail that combines tangy blackberries, smoky chipotle, and effervescent beer for a refreshing and flavourful experience.

Beer and tequila

Another option for mixing beer and tequila is the Lagerita, which is a twist on the traditional Margarita. To make a Lagerita, you simply top a classic Margarita with a light and crisp Mexican lager such as Modelo, Corona, Pacifico, or Tecate. This drink is best served in a highball glass with a salted rim and a lime wheel garnish.

A third option for mixing beer and tequila is the Tequila Shandy, which combines hard lemonade, a shot of tequila, and a Mexican lager. This drink is light and refreshing, making it perfect for warm weather.

While mixing beer and tequila can be delicious, it's important to remember that both drinks contain alcohol, and consuming too much can lead to negative consequences. As the saying goes, "beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear." However, this saying may not be entirely accurate, as the order in which you consume different drinks can also affect your level of intoxication. Starting with a weaker drink like beer and then switching to a stronger spirit like tequila can lead to underestimating your alcohol consumption. Regardless of the order, it's crucial to keep track of the total number of drinks consumed to avoid a hangover or other negative consequences.

Beer and wine

There are many folk tales about the consequences of drinking wine before beer and vice versa. The most popular saying goes: "beer before wine and you'll feel fine; wine before beer and you'll feel weird". However, there is no scientific evidence that points to a direct danger when mixing beer and wine.

A study conducted at the University of Cambridge in 2019 set out to prove this old saying true or false. The study group was made up of 90 adults under 40 years of age, who were split into three separate test groups. The first group consumed beer until their breath alcohol level was at a minimum of 0.05%, then switched to wine until their breath alcohol level was at 0.11%. The second group did the opposite, and the third group was allowed to consume either wine or beer until they reached the 0.11% limit. After a week, the experiment was repeated, with the first and second groups swapping the order of their drinks.

The study found no evidence that mixing wine and beer in any specific order would speed up alcohol's effects or make participants feel sicker. It also found no difference in hangover symptoms between the groups. The only difference was that women had slightly worse hangovers than men, due to differences in body structure and weight.

Mixing beer and wine will not make you feel drunker, and it will not cause a worse hangover. However, overindulging in any alcoholic drink may lead to feeling sick and increase the risk of a hangover. Beer and wine do mix well together, and there are a variety of beer/wine hybrids available on the market.

Beer and champagne

The Black Velvet cocktail is an interesting mix of dark beer and champagne in a single glass. While some may consider this an unlikely pairing, it has been a popular drink for a long time and may even be the original beer mixed drink. The cocktail typically consists of equal parts chilled stout and champagne, although some prefer a 2:1 ratio with more champagne. The beer is carefully poured over the back of a bar spoon to create a beautiful layered effect with the pale sparkling wine on top and a thick black base with a foamy head.

The stout used in this cocktail is often Guinness Extra Stout, which has an alcohol content of 5.6% ABV, while the average for champagne is 12% ABV. Therefore, the resulting cocktail has an alcohol content of around 8% ABV, making it a light cocktail compared to those that include liquor.

When mixing beer with other alcoholic drinks, it is important to consider the order of consumption. Starting with a weaker drink like beer and then moving on to stronger spirits can lead to underestimating the amount of liquor consumed. Additionally, carbonated drinks like beer and sparkling wines can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the rate of alcohol absorption. However, the total quantity of alcohol consumed, rather than the combination, is what influences intoxication and sickness.

Beer and cider

While the traditional snakebite combines lager and cider, variations of this drink exist. One such variation is the Snakebite and Black, also known as a Diesel, which includes a dash of blackcurrant cordial or blackcurrant juice. This variation adds a touch of sweetness to the drink and is just as easy to drink as the original.

The snakebite is not only a tasty beverage but also a visually appealing one. The layering technique, achieved by carefully pouring the lager over the back of a spoon, creates a distinct separation between the two layers, making it a gorgeous drink to behold.

In addition to the snakebite, there are other creative ways to mix beer and cider. For example, using cider barrels to age beer or combining a cider with a fruit beer or a winter warmer could result in interesting and unique flavour profiles.

When it comes to mixing beer and cider, the possibilities are endless. Whether you stick to the classic snakebite or experiment with different variations and combinations, the result is a refreshing and enjoyable beverage.

Frequently asked questions