Brightest Young Things

I was torn on featuring this drink. It's kind of a gimmick, Tucker Max endorses it (that's enough for me to never want to drink it) and it's not a drink you order to sip slowly and enjoy the nuanced flavors of the beer. You chug-a-lug and later remark on the similarities to Dr. Pepper while you're contemplating asking the nice lady in the stall next to you if she will be a dear and hold your hair back as you vomit.

Regardless, here it is and its slightly improved variation, the Dr. Pepper Shandy.

Flaming Dr. Pepper

• Half-filled glass of beer (it leaves some space for the eventual foam)
• 3/4 oz Amaretto
• 1/4 oz Everclear or Bacardi 151

Layer the Everclear/Bacardi on top of the beer (do not mix). Set the shot of Amaretto on fire (for the love of God be careful and don't burn yourself. This shit can actually go horribly wrong) and drop it into the beer. Chug, chug, and chug some more. Remarkably enough it does taste a lot like a Dr. Pepper and it will get you fairly drunk. The best one I've had in DC was at the Bottom Line in Farragut West. It makes watching the Cincinnati Bengals almost bearable.

Now, for the Dr. Pepper Shandy:

• lager
• Dr. Pepper
• 1 oz Amaretto

In a Collins glass, fill half with lager, half with Dr. Pepper. Drop in shot glass of Amaretto and consume (no need to chug this one). It's smoother and more refined, but drink two and you will find yourself with a mean hangover (or maybe that's just a 'me' thing).

Thursday's Beer Week Events

• Troegs Pint Night at the Red & the Black — Troegs and a free pint glass. 7 p.m.
• Beer Week After-Party at Asylum — 9:30 p.m. (you should definitely consider going after you hit up Red and the Black)
• Sadly, Brew at the Zoo is sold out - if you got tickets in time, enjoy! Or scalp on Craigslist!