Three Beer and Whisky Cocktails: It’s Bitter to Be Hoppy, Lemon Tell You Somethin’ Honey, Beer & Loathing

From time to time, a PR company that works with Auchentoshan sends me some samples of their new stuff and clever ideas they’ve been working on.

One idea they recently sent me is something I’d never considered before — ever make a beer and whisky cocktail? Before you think it sounds absolutely crazy… hear me out, it’s quite clever and I am definitely going to try this out at home.

Auchentoshan reached out to Master Cicerone Pat Fahey (Master Cicerone is the highest level of Cicerone certification for beer) and they put together three cocktails that, at least to my non-Master Cicerone brain, sound pretty tasty for the summer.

They also argue that Auchentoshan, which is triple distilled like Irish Whiskey, makes for a good whisky to try this with. Personally, I’d argue Auchentoshan neat is just fine on its own but sometimes the warmer summer months call for a chilled cocktail. 🙂

It’s Bitter to be Hoppy

Credit: Gabi Porter

Credit: Gabi Porter

  • 1.5 parts Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • .5 parts Aperol
  • .25 parts Fresh Grapefruit Juice
  • 6 dashes Lemon Bitters
  • 2.5 parts IPA

Instructions: Stir all ingredients and strain into a coupe. Garnish with lemon wheel.

My thoughts: An IPA huh? I’d try for one from the west coast, where the hops are more citrusy and floral, rather than what is typical of east coast IPAs. Hop heads will know what I mean.

Lemon Tell You Somethin’ Honey

Credit: Addie Chin

Credit: Addie Chin

  • 1.5 parts Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • .5 parts Honey Syrup (1:1)
  • 1 part Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 3 parts Belgian wheat beer (aka witbier)

Instructions: Build in a tall glass or beer stein filled with ice. Stir. Garnish with lemon peel.

My thoughts: This is the one I’m most likely to try next. I love witbier, I love honey, I love lemon… put it all together and you have yourself a nice sweet lemonade with some kick.

Beer & Loathing

Credit: Gabi Porter

Credit: Gabi Porter

  • 1.5 parts Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • .5 parts chili liqueur
  • 4 parts Porter Ale

Instructions: Slowly shake all ingredients with ice and strain into rocks glass. May add large cube.

My thoughts: Chili??? It’s relatively small but I’m always hesitant about spiciness in my beverages (I love spicy food though). Otherwise, this cocktail sounds great, I love the rich roasted chocolate in Poters and when you add the sweet fruitiness of the 3 Wood it’s a potent combination.

What are your thoughts on these cocktails?

16 thoughts on “Three Beer and Whisky Cocktails: It’s Bitter to Be Hoppy, Lemon Tell You Somethin’ Honey, Beer & Loathing

  1. Beer & Loathing, I would consider. Twenty-five years ago I had a neighbor who was from France and whenever I would visit her she would grab a can of Coors and a 7-Up and mix the two in a wine glass and serve it to me. This was strange to me at the time, but it was quite good and refreshing! Flash forward and that drink is now referred to as a ‘summer shandy’.

  2. Hi Jim.
    Will definitely try them and let you know .Strange combination though.i agree i always drink beer firs and then I follow it up with good whisky.
    James de Meyer Pietermaritzburg South Africa

  3. I recently bought a bottle of Auchentoshan American Oak and thought it was wonderful. I am NOT going to mess this great single malt up with these weird beer combos. I have seen hard core sweat shop drinkers mix Bourbon or cheap American whiskey with beer years ago when I hung out in blue collar bars in my early drinking years. I have also seen my wonderful great uncle do it too when I was a kid. Basically, this is a variation on a theme of a Boilermaker. You drink Boilermakers to get drunk fast. I am confident these 3 crazy concoctions would do a number on you. 😉 😀

  4. Well, I don’t know. Beer cocktails are a pretty strange concept, but I guess I’d be willing to try. I think I’d rather have the scotch and the beer in sequence rather than together, though.

    Also, I’m very lazy, and the thought of making work out of drinking scotch just makes me tired.

  5. I tried a modified Let It Be Hoppy. I substituted Campari for the Aperol, orange juice for the grapefruit juice, orange bitters for lemon bitters, and I added 1 part lemon juice. Being from Oregon, I used Deschutes Brewing’s IPA. I was quite amazed at how it turned out and even more surprised when my wife agreed that it tastes good. The substitutions are simply because that is what I had on hand. Now that I tried it, can I go back to drinking my Scotch neat? I like IPA and I like A variety of Scotch, but I am still more comfortable drinking both separately. :>)

  6. Every now and then I like a shot of Scotch in my beer. It adds complexity of flavor to my beer. (I also use this to get rid of Scotch that is too peaty for my taste buds.) As to getting a buzz off my beer, I don’t drink for that reason anymore. It is just a taste change.

  7. Your sugestions are always very helpful I much apreciate them. Something special for hot summer evenings in Italy?

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