Boilermaker (beer cocktail)

A boilermaker is a beer cocktail consisting of a glass of beer and a shot of whisky,^[1] tequila, or vodka. The beer is either served as a chaser or is mixed with the liquor. When the beer is served as a chaser, the drink is often called simply a shot and a beer.

In various regions of the United States, the drink is known as a beer and a bump.

In the United Kingdom, a boilermaker is a shot of bourbon or rye whiskey dropped into a glass of English pale ale.^[2]

The "Citywide Special" at many bars in Philadelphia is a boilermaker made with Old Crow bourbon and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.

Drinking

There are various ways to drink a boilermaker:

“Generally speaking, the Boilermaker is merely a glass of beer with a shot of whiskey served on the side. The shot goes down in one, and the beer follows, being sipped rather than quickly downed.”^[3]

• Traditionally, the liquor is imbibed in a single gulp and is chased by the beer.^[4]
• The liquor and beer may be mixed by pouring or dropping the shot into the beer. The mixture may be stirred, if desired.^[4] If the shot is dropped in, the drink is known as a depth charge.
• The liquor may be poured directly into an open beer bottle or can after removing some of the beer.

References