A boilermaker is a simple beer cocktail that consists of a glass of beer mixed with a shot of whiskey). The drink originated in Butte, Montana, in the 1890s, and was originally called a Sean OFarrell and was served only when miners ended their shifts). There are two types of boilermakers: American and English. In American terminology, the drink consists of a glass of beer mixed with a shot of whiskey, while in England, the term traditionally refers to a half pint of draught mild mixed with a half pint of bottled brown ale).

There are different ways to drink a boilermaker. One way is to fill a pint glass halfway with beer, drop a shot straight into the glass, and then slam the contents in one go. Another way is to dump the liquor into the beer, keeping the shot glass out of your pint. You can also pour a beer and a shot and drink them side-by-side, at your leisure, no dropping or chugging required.

There are no strict rules on which type of beer to use when making a boilermaker, but certain liquors pair better with certain beers. For example, a classic bourbon or rye whiskey works well with a light lager, while bold Irish whiskeys enjoy the extra flavor of an IPA. Tequila dropped into a Mexican lager or herbal, bitter amari (or malty genever) served with a crisp pilsner are also worth exploring.

Boilermakers are popular among blue-collar workers and bartenders, and the drink takes its name from the workers who built and maintained steam boilers for steamships and steam locomotives. The drink is easy to make, delicious, and has endless pairing possibilities between whiskey and beer styles.