Low price guarantee
We will do our best to match any genuine quote
Call us between 8:00am and 5:30pm
01977 687 580
Lease purchase available
on orders over £1000
Spend £50 or more for free delivery
Free delivery* on this order

Beer cocktails

Author Damien Wilde
Posted On 15th August 2014

Beer cocktails

For one reason or another United Kingdom is a region that is besotted about certain periods of our history, our heritage and identity, and the interplay between different eras and different social classes. Take the immense popularity of Downton Abbey and other period dramas that are set at the turn of the century when the British Isles were thrust into a state of flux through generational, political and technological change. In literary circles this ear was known as the Fin de Siecle, or as Dorian Gray mused to his good friend Lord Henry: “Fin du Globe.” It was a time of upheaval that we have been fascinated with ever since.

Consequently it should be of no surprise that one current beverage trend that is adorned on menus up and down the country can be traced back to the reign of Queen Victoria.

As strange and bizarre as it may sound, Beer cocktails are not a new invention at all; they’re simply coming back into prominence again – everything is cyclic after all.

Popping up in trendy bars and establishments in recent years the beer cocktail is much more than the student staple of Snakebite, Snakey Bizzle (‘Ull), or Diesel as it is known in some quarters, so much more. Take the Black Velvet – champagne and stout, for example – as one beer-based drink that’s remained popular throughout the years and has kept its dignified reputation firmly intact.

Bars sporting beer friendly menus have been sprouting up, especially in London, recently but despite this trend coinciding with the rise in craft beers, its roots go far back into the 19th Century and beyond.

“From at least the medieval era in Britain, drinkers were knocking back concoctions such as warm ale, brandy and egg,” explains the alcohol historian Jane Peyton.

But the practice, we think it is safe to say, peaked during the years of Victoria’s tenure on the throne when names such as Six and Tips, and Huckle My Buff were common place, and beer was commonly mixed with brandy or gin. Whether nightmares of heavenly beverages were formed is a debate for another time we feel.

And what ended the beer cocktails time in the sun? That most British of drinks, tea.

Here are some great beer cocktail recipes for you to try. 

And if you’re in need of some new glassware don’t forget that we have a large selection on offer.

Guinness Cream Soda

Cream Soda is quintessentially American, in our eyes at least, and Guinness is certainly an Irish traditional favourite – The perfect drink for the bars of Boston, Dublin and beyond.

Recipe here

Summer Hoedown

Ignore the downpour that’s been lingering overhead for a while now and serve up tantalisingly tasty combination of liqueur, white beer and watermelon. Best served in frosted glasses

Recipe here

Lambic Sangria

When you think of sangria you think of lazy summer days and/or Spanish holidays, two pretty amazing things. Now you can bring those memories to wet, grey and slightly chilly Blighty with this beer-based derivative.

Recipe here

photo: J M Rosenfeld used under Creative Commons

Share