cocktail hour: oktoberfest

I love the fall. The crisp air. Trees changing colors. Boots. Layering. The important things. 

We have a packed weekend of fun social activities... including an Oktoberfest party. 

Now, I am a cocktail girl. I am a wine girl. I am NOT a beer girl. I tried in college. I tried post-college (hoping perhaps it was the scourge of Busch Light). You wouldn't believe how many activities are accompanied by beer drinking. Try asking for wine at a tailgate. You will encounter some looks.

That's why I am always on the lookout for a good beer-based cocktail (sort of like training wheels for the wheat-averse). The Steamroller is one such beer-based drink, which adds rye whiskey, Heering Cherry Liqueur, St-Germaine, and a squeeze of lemon to steam beer (a full-bodied style of beer that is more bubbly than ale, but still clear and crisp).

The recipe is below the jump... 



Ingredients:

• 1 oz St-Germain
• 1 oz rye whiskey
• 1/2 oz Heering Cherry Liqueur
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice (plus lemon twist)
• 1 (12-oz) bottle of steam beer (Anchor Steam)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Start with chilled pint glass.
2. Combine all ingredients (sans lemon twist and steam beer) in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker halfway with ice, and shake.
3. Strain into the chilled pint glass, add the lemon twist, and top with beer.
4. Enjoy!

recipe and image via chow.com