Boilermaker

Charles Bukowski

1 (12 oz.) can of beer

1 oz. whiskey

Pour the beer into a pint glass and pour the whiskey into a shot glass. Drop the shot glass into the beer and drink immediately.

Bukowski was a poet and novelist who wrote about many of the key social issues of the day, so much so that his controversial takes in an underground newspaper led to the FBI keeping a file on him. He was notoriously fond of alcohol, once saying: “That’s the problem with drinking, I thought, as I poured myself a drink. If something bad happens you drink in an attempt to forget; if something good happens you drink in order to celebrate; and if nothing happens you drink to make something happen.”

One of his drinks of choice was the Boilermaker, which is quite simple and to the point: it’s whiskey and beer. Preferably a lot more beer than whiskey (bourbon will do nicely for the latter). The traditional way of making it is a bit odd, though: you fill your glass halfway with beer, fill a shot glass with whiskey, and then drop the shot glass into the beer glass! Note that this is in no way required, and you can simply pour in the whiskey—or even enjoy it on the side.