auld alliance

1 1/2oz Grand MacNish Blended Scotch
1/2 oz Dark Crème de Cacao
1/4 oz Galliano Ristretto
1/2 oz Lemon Juice

Shake with ice and strain into rocks glass with ice. Top with 2 oz of Page 24 Vieillie En Fût De Chêne, a barrel-aged brown ale (perhaps High & Mighty's Don Cornelius would work well in a pinch). Add straws and gently stir.

For my next drink, bartender Kenny Belanger asked if I wanted to stick with a beer cocktail theme. When I agreed, the drink he made for me was one that he crafted for a High & Mighty Spin the Bottle night. The brewers from High & Mighty brought Page 24 Vieillie En Fût De Chêne, a French barrel-aged brown ale, with them, and left a few bottles so that the bartenders could continue making the drink after the event was over. The name Auld Alliance refers to a 13th to 16th century agreement between Scotland and France that parallels the malt products in the mix.
The Auld Alliance greeted the senses with a lemon and malt aroma. A rich, carbonated, dark sip was brightened by the lemon juice. The Scotch led off the swallow that ended with more coffee than chocolate notes; as the ice melted, the Scotch became more prominent in the flavor profile.