Whiskey And Beer: A Dangerous Cocktail?

Drinking beer and whiskey together is a popular combination, with the pairing even having its own name: a boilermaker. The drink originated in Butte, Montana, in the 1890s, and was originally called a Sean O'Farrell. It was served to miners when they ended their shifts. The drink is also known as a shot and a beer, with the liquor consumed in a single gulp and then chased by the beer, which is sipped.

There are many different opinions on the best way to consume the two drinks together. Some say that drinking beer and then whiskey will make you very risky, while others say that drinking whiskey and then beer means you have no fear. However, according to experts, it isn't the order in which you consume your drinks that matters, but rather the amount of alcohol you drink.

Beer and whiskey pairings

The Boilermaker, or the "shot and a beer", is a classic combination of beer and whiskey. This simple cocktail has become a blue-collar institution in the US, delivering maximum satisfaction with minimal fuss. While there's nothing wrong with this approach, it's worth exploring the many possible pairings of these two drinks to elevate your drinking experience.

Light & Delicate

Pair a light and delicate whiskey with a refreshing, hoppy pilsner.

Whiskey: Cask 54.74 'Sacrebleu'!

Spicy & Dry

Quench your thirst with a lower-strength lager paired with a spicy and dry whiskey.

Whiskey: Cask 112.39 'Tractors and old medicine'

Young & Spritely

Savour the complementary flavours of bananas and pineapples from a wheat beer with a young bourbon-matured whiskey.

Whiskey: Cask 113.16 'A sweet, spicy and savoury sensation'

Sweet, Fruity & Mellow

Pair the funky flavours of a Belgian Kriek Lambic with a fruity whiskey.

Whiskey: Cask 6.30 'A stealthy luncheon tipple'

Spicy & Sweet

The easy-drinking and lightly hopped pale ale is the perfect counterpoint for the whiskey's prickly spiciness.

Whiskey: Cask 7.221 'Hop Scotch'

Deep, Rich & Dark Fruits

A bold pairing of a fruity, spicy Belgian saison beer with a deep and indulgent whiskey.

Whiskey: Cask 36.161 'Honey and herbs on ham'

Old & Dignified

Savour an old and dignified whiskey with a smooth, malty dark German lager, complementing the whiskey without overwhelming it.

Whiskey: Cask 50.102 'Golden leaves falling on fruitcake'

Juicy, Oak & Vanilla

The refreshing sweetness of this whiskey brings out the best in a more bitter and hoppy Indian Pale Ale.

Whiskey: Cask 46.76 'Fully loaded lemon'

Oily & Coastal

Explore how a sharp citrusy beer cuts through the oily mouthfeel and marine notes of this whiskey.

Whiskey: 'Cocktails on a tugboat'

Lightly Peated

A deep, rich stout with a creamy head that's light on the hops allows a lightly peated whiskey to shine.

Whiskey: Cask 108.14 'An enjoyable curiosity'

Heavily Peated

A full-flavoured old-school combination: pair a heavily peated whiskey with a heavy beer that's lighter on the hops and heavier on the cereal.

Whiskey: Cask 29.263 'Exquisitely playful'

Punk IPA with Son of a Peat

The citrus and tropical fruit notes of the Punk IPA complement the peat-forward, earthy character of Son of a Peat. The fruits from the beer work well with the second wave of flavours from the whiskey, including apricots, green apples, and buttery biscuits.

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier with Nikka Coffey Grain

The Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier features notes of banana and spice, with a touch of citrus. A dram of the Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky adds layers of tropical fruit, summer spice, and coconut to the mix, creating a unique pairing experience.

Alesmith Wee Heavy with Booker’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The Alesmith Wee Heavy is a rich, malty Scotch Ale with notes of toffee-covered walnuts, smoke, and dark fruit. Pair it with Booker’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon, which adds notes of rich vanilla, burnt oak, and smoke.

Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro with Laphroaig Quarter Cask

The Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro is a sweet, smooth, and mouth-coating stout with notes of chocolate, roasted coffee, and milk. Balance out the sweetness with the peated, earthy, and lightly floral Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

Threes Vliet Pilsner with Hakushu 12-Year-Old

The Threes Vliet Pilsner is a crisp, refreshing, and subtly sweet pilsner. Suntory’s Hakushu 12 YO enhances the experience with its green, floral notes, green apples, pears, some mint, and campfire smoke.

The 'beer before liquor' rule

The saying, "Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear," is a popular phrase with unknown origins. It refers to the idea that drinking alcoholic beverages in a specific order may help you avoid a hangover. While many people believe in this rule, others question whether there is any scientific research to support it.

One theory suggests that most people start their evenings with drinks that have a lower alcohol content, such as beer, and gradually move on to liquor. If they get sick at the end of the night or experience a hangover the next morning, they may attribute it to the order in which they consumed their drinks. Another theory is based on the idea that liquor has a higher alcohol content and can spike your blood alcohol levels more quickly compared to beer. Therefore, finishing the night with liquor after drinking beer can push your already elevated blood alcohol content even higher, potentially worsening a hangover.

Some experts provide explanations to support these theories. Dr. Harvey Allen, a board-certified gastroenterologist, explains that drinking hard liquor first can overwhelm the body's liver enzymes. Starting with beer, however, decreases these liver enzymes, and if hard liquor is consumed afterward, the liver may not have enough time to generate detoxification enzymes, leading to more severe hangover symptoms. Additionally, carbonated beverages like beer can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the absorption rate of alcohol. Research from 2007 supports this, showing that most subjects absorbed vodka faster when mixed with carbonated water.

Despite these explanations, there is little scientific evidence to prove that drinking alcohol in a specific order can decrease the likelihood or severity of a hangover. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2019 found no link between drinking beer before or after wine and avoiding a hangover. The study also showed that sticking to one type of drink did not influence hangover severity. Instead, it is the total amount of alcohol consumed that matters. Other factors, such as genetics, hydration levels, and whether food was consumed alongside the alcohol, also play a significant role in determining the presence and intensity of a hangover.

The Boilermaker cocktail

The Boilermaker is a straightforward cocktail that combines beer and a shot of whiskey. It is an "unfussy drink" that became popular in the 1800s among factory workers, possibly those who fabricated the boilers of locomotive engines, hence the name. After long, exhausting shifts, these workers sought a strong drink to end their day.

How to Make a Boilermaker

There is no single, official way to make or consume a Boilermaker. The traditional method involves drinking the shot of whiskey in one gulp and then chasing it with the beer, which is sipped. However, there are several variations that are commonly enjoyed:

• Dropping the shot of whiskey directly into the beer, sometimes known as a "depth charge."
• Pouring the whiskey into a beer can or bottle.
• Drinking the beer and whiskey side-by-side, at your leisure, without mixing.
• Drinking the beer as a chaser to the whiskey, often called a "shot and a beer."

Pairing Whiskey and Beer

While any type of beer and whiskey can be used to make a Boilermaker, certain pairings are considered more complementary than others. Here are some suggested combinations:

• Bourbon or rye whiskey with a light lager.
• Bold Irish whiskey with an IPA.
• Tequila with a Mexican lager.
• Herbal, bitter amari or malty genever with a crisp pilsner.

Regional Variations

The term "Boilermaker" can refer to different combinations of beer and spirits depending on the region:

• In England, a Boilermaker traditionally refers to a half pint of draught mild mixed with a half pint of bottled brown ale, or a "brown split."
• In the southwest of England, it can also refer to the American-style shot and pint.
• In Scotland, a "half and a half" is a half pint of beer with a whisky ("a wee hawf").
• In Philadelphia, a Boilermaker is commonly called a "Citywide Special."
• In Texas, it is known as a "Two-Step."
• In parts of Florida, it is often called a "Git-Right."

Beer and whiskey drinking order

Drinking beer and whiskey together has been a tradition since the 15th century. The two drinks are made from similar ingredients and therefore have complementary flavour profiles. A classic example of this pairing is the Boilermaker cocktail, which is a shot of whiskey dropped into a glass of beer.

When drinking a Boilermaker, the whiskey is typically dropped into the beer, and the two are drunk together. Common whiskey choices for this cocktail include bourbon, rye, or Scotch whiskey. The type of beer can range from lagers to ales, depending on availability.

The order in which you drink beer and whiskey can make a difference to the overall experience. Some people believe that drinking beer and then whiskey can be risky, whereas drinking whiskey and then beer is more acceptable. This may be because whiskey is often a stronger drink, and so drinking it after beer can lessen its overpowering flavour.

If you are drinking whiskey and beer separately, there are a few ways to order your whiskey. You can order it "neat", which means it comes straight from the bottle with no ice or added mixtures. You can also order it "on the rocks", which means it is poured over ice. Whiskey can also be ordered as part of a cocktail, such as a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned, or a Whiskey Sour.

When ordering whiskey, you can also specify the type of whiskey you would like. For example, you could order a Scotch whiskey for a bold, smoky taste, or an Irish whiskey for a cleaner, lighter taste. Bourbon has a sweeter flavour, and rye whiskey is spicier, with a peppery taste.

In summary, there is no fixed order in which you must drink beer and whiskey. You can drink them together in a Boilermaker cocktail, or you can drink them separately in whichever order you prefer.

Beer and whiskey drinking tips

The Boilermaker

The combination of beer and whiskey is known as a Boilermaker, a "shot and a beer", or a DIY "cocktail". This pairing has been honoured by Americans and has become a blue-collar institution.

Pairing Beer and Whiskey

The right pairing of beer and whiskey can elevate the drinking experience. Here are some tips and recommendations:

• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale pairs well with Maker's Mark whiskey. The ale's strong, astringent flavour acts as a good palate cleanser for the bourbon.
• For Canadian whisky, such as Crown Royal Harvest Rye, try a ginger-prominent beer like Williams Bros. Midnight Sun.
• Irish pot still whiskey, with its nutty character from the inclusion of unmalted barley, pairs well with a brown ale with malty, nutty flavours. Alternatively, a German weissbier can complement the gentle, easy-drinking style of Irish whiskey.
• For smoky, peaty whiskies like Lagavulin, consider a German rauchbier for complementary flavours. Or, go for a contrasting pairing with a hop-forward IPA or a complex, rich stout.
• Speyside whiskies, with their rich, fruity notes, pair well with a traditional 80 shilling beer, such as Alchemy Ten Storey Malt Bomb, for nice, malty flavours.
• Blended whiskies, like Famous Grouse, offer more flexibility in pairing. A porter or a light lager can be good choices depending on your preference.

Drinking Order

There is a popular saying, "beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, have no fear", which suggests that drinking beer before liquor can lead to increased sickness or a worse hangover. However, this is not necessarily true. The amount of alcohol consumed and the rate of consumption are more important factors than the type or order of drinks.

When drinking beer before liquor, it is common to start slowly with the beer and then switch to liquor, leading to faster consumption of the higher alcohol content drink. This can result in increased alcohol intake and the potential for negative consequences.

On the other hand, starting with liquor and then switching to beer can be less dangerous. The initial slower consumption of liquor is followed by the less potent beer, potentially resulting in better control over the amount of alcohol consumed.

General Tips

• Eat before and during your drinking session. Food helps to soak up the alcohol and can reduce the chances of a hangover.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout your drinking session and before bed.
• Know your limits and drink in moderation to avoid negative consequences.
• Be aware of your body's reaction to different types of alcohol. Everyone is different, and it is important to understand your own tolerance and preferences.

Remember to always drink responsibly and ensure you have a safe way to get home if you are consuming alcohol.

Frequently asked questions