The Strange Truth About Men And Bloody Beer

A Red Beer (beer and tomato juice) is for those who believe in the hair of the dog to cure a hangover but detest Bloody Marys. It is also for those who enjoy drinking with their grandfather, a man capable of killing someone just by reading them a scary story. This combination is known by many names, including Red Eye, Red Rooster, and Michelada.

What is a 'Red Eye' drink?

A Red Eye, also known as a Bloody Beer, Red Rooster, or Red Beer, is a cocktail made by mixing beer with tomato juice. It is similar to a Bloody Mary but does not contain vodka or other spirits. The drink is often served with a pinch of salt, and sometimes additional flavourings such as hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lime, or celery salt. It is considered a good hangover cure and is particularly popular in the Midwest and Texas.

The term "Red Eye" is also used to refer to a strong coffee drink consisting of drip coffee with one or two shots of espresso. The name is a reference to the red-eye flight, an overnight airline trip that leaves passengers with tired red eyes.

What is a 'Red Rooster' drink?

A Red Rooster, also known as a Bloody Beer, Red Eye, or Red Beer, is a cocktail made with beer and tomato juice. It is often served with a beer chaser, especially in Wisconsin and other parts of the Midwest. The drink is typically made with a light-flavoured lager or pilsner, and the addition of tomato juice creates a crisp, fizzy, and savoury beverage. Some people also add a raw egg to the mix, although this is not a popular choice.

The Red Rooster is similar to the classic Bloody Mary cocktail, which typically contains vodka, tomato juice, and various spices and flavourings. The Bloody Mary was invented in the 1920s or 1930s, and its creation is claimed by several individuals and establishments. One story credits French bartender Fernand Petiot, who worked at the New York Bar in Paris, which later became Harry's New York Bar. According to Petiot's granddaughter, he created the cocktail in 1921, and it originally consisted only of vodka and tomato juice. It was known as a "Bucket of Blood".

Another claim to the invention of the Bloody Mary comes from New York's 21 Club, which attributes the drink to either bartender Henry Zbikiewicz or comedian George Jessel, who frequented the establishment. Lucius Beebe printed one of the earliest references to the drink in his 1939 gossip column, calling it "George Jessel's newest pick-me-up... half tomato juice, half vodka."

The Red Rooster, on the other hand, does not have a clear origin story, but it is believed to be an old-timer's drink, especially popular in the Midwest and Texas. It is often consumed during hot weather and is considered a hangover cure, similar to the Bloody Mary.

The key to making a good Red Rooster is to use cheap beer and avoid heavy-hitting IPAs, as the hops do not pair well with the tomato juice. Some popular beer choices include IC Light, Sol, Tecate, Miller, Stella, and Michelob. The drink is easy to make, requiring only two ingredients: a 12-ounce bottle of lager or pilsner beer and 4 fluid ounces of tomato juice. Simply pour the beer into a pint glass and add the tomato juice—no stirring is needed as the drink will mix itself.

What is a Michelada drink?

A Michelada is a popular Mexican beer cocktail. It is made from tomato juice, beer, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. It is often compared to the Bloody Mary cocktail because they are both served at brunch, touted as hangover cures, and have a tomato base. However, the Michelada is mixed with Mexican beer instead of vodka.

The drink is light, refreshing, and made with a dash of hot sauce. It is served in a salt-rimmed glass. The beer used is typically a light Mexican beer, such as Corona, Sol, Tecate, Pacifico, or Modelo. The tomato juice is sometimes replaced with Clamato juice, a tomato juice cocktail made from tomato juice, spices, and clam juice.

The drink is said to be "one of the great drinks of summer" and is "a low-alcohol concoction of cheap, light Mexican beer." It is also said to be "super refreshing any time of the year."

What is a Snit drink?

A "Snit" is a regional name for a beer chaser that is commonly served in 3-ounce servings in highball or juice glasses with a Bloody Mary cocktail. It is a drink that is typical in the upper midwest states of the US, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.

The term "Snit" is believed to have originated from the obsolete German word "Schnitt", which refers to a small amount of beer served in a larger glass. In the 1950s, when vodka was scarce in the US due to issues in Russia, Minnesotans started making Bloody Marys with beer, which was more readily available. However, to ensure the Bloody Mary tasted as good as possible, only a small amount of beer was added, and the rest of the beer was served on the side in a lowball or large shot glass—the "Snit" was born.

The "Snit" is an integral part of the unique brunch culture in the upper Midwest region, specifically in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where it is customary to serve a small beer, or "Snit", with Bloody Marys. This combination is often referred to as a beer back in Chicago.

The "Snit" is a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of the people in the upper Midwest, who found a way to enjoy their beloved Bloody Marys despite the shortage of vodka. It has become an enduring tradition that continues to be enjoyed by many, adding a unique twist to the classic Bloody Mary cocktail.

What is a Red Beer drink?

A Red Beer, also known as a Red Eye, Spicy Beer, Michelada, Chelada, or Bloody Beer, is a cocktail made with beer and tomato juice. It is similar to a Bloody Mary but replaces the vodka base with beer. The drink is often served with a salted rim, and additional ingredients such as lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and spices like salt, black pepper, and chili powder can be added to taste. The type of beer used can vary, but light-flavoured lagers and pilsners are commonly recommended over heavier beers like IPAs.

Red Beer is considered a simple and refreshing cocktail, perfect for brunch or game day gatherings. It is also known as a "hair of the dog" drink, reputed to cure hangovers with its combination of a vegetable base, salt, and alcohol. The cocktail is particularly popular in the Midwest and Texas in the United States, as well as in Mexico, where it is known as a Michelada or Chelada.

The exact origin of the Red Beer is unclear, but some sources suggest it may have originated in Mexico, with variations of the drink known as the Michelada or Chelada. The addition of a beer chaser to a Bloody Mary is also a tradition in Wisconsin and other parts of the Midwest, where it is considered an essential part of the drinking culture.

Whether you call it a Red Beer, Red Eye, or Bloody Beer, this cocktail is a unique twist on the classic Bloody Mary and is perfect for those looking for a refreshing and spicy beverage.

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