Boilermaker
Build ∙ 2 min ∙ 6% ABV ∙
The Boilermaker is a beer cocktail pairing a shot of whiskey — bourbon here — with a full pint of lager, built together and drunk as a shot-and-a-beer. Malty lager carries the warm bourbon through, the whiskey adding a spirituous kick beneath the beer's easy fizz — a no-fuss end-of-shift or pub drink.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Fill a shot glass to the brim with Bourbon
- Invert a Boston glass over the shot glass, pressing them firmly together
- Quickly flip the glasses over so the Bourbon is trapped inside the upside-down shot glass
- Pour Lager into the Boston glass, over the submerged shot
Tips
- Sip the beer down an inch first so there is room to add the shot without overflowing the pint.
- Drop the shot glass in for a depth charge, or pour and stir gently to fold the bourbon through evenly.
- Serve the lager cold and freshly poured — a flat, warm beer makes the whole drink dull.
- Use a lighter lager rather than a hoppy IPA so the bourbon reads through instead of clashing.
History
The boilermaker traces to the mining camps of Butte, Montana, in the 1890s, where it was first known as the "Sean O'Farrell" — a name said to reflect the many Irish bartenders working the town. By most accounts it was poured only for miners who could show a lunch bucket as proof they had finished their shift, with the whiskey meant to cut the copper dust in their lungs and the beer to ease their thirst. The name "boilermaker," evoking the tradesmen who built and repaired steam boilers, attached to the whiskey-and-beer pairing later and has carried working-class associations ever since.
FAQ
What is in a Boilermaker?
A shot of whiskey and a glass of beer. This build pairs bourbon with a full pint of lager, either dropped in as a shot or served together to sip and chase.
Why is it called a Boilermaker?
The name is tied to the drink's American origin among industrial and mining workers. It began in Butte, Montana, in the 1890s under the name Sean O'Farrell, served to miners finishing their shifts, and later became the boilermaker.
Is a Boilermaker a drop shot?
It can be. When the shot glass of whiskey is dropped whole into the beer it is a drop shot, also called a depth charge; otherwise the whiskey is poured in or drunk alongside the beer as a chaser.
What is a shot of whiskey and a beer called?
In American terms it is a boilermaker. When the beer is kept separate as a chaser it is simply a shot and a beer, while Scotland's version — a small whisky beside a half pint — is a half and a half.
What whiskey is best for a Boilermaker?
Bourbon is the classic choice, as in this build, giving a sweet, warm note that carries through the beer. Rye works for a spicier edge; pick a lighter lager so the whiskey is not lost.
