This long-forgotten whisky cocktail is making a surprise comeback in 2026

Pour whisk(e)y into your beer and you can bet your average whisky fan will raise an eyebrow. A waste of whisk(e)y? Maybe not. This quirky move is actually a key part of one of the classic bar cocktails that’s rapidly making a comeback. We’re talking about the boilermaker.

For years, the boilermaker was wildly popular around the world. Then the combo faded from view and was almost forgotten. That could easily change in 2026. With cocktails sometimes feeling like full-on chemistry experiments, a drink with just two ingredients suddenly seems refreshingly appealing. Especially when you realize you can do far more with whisk(e)y and beer than you might think.

In its simplest form, you get a whisk(e)y and a beer side by side. You take a sip of whisk(e)y and then a sip of beer, or the other way around if that makes you happier. There’s also a rougher take where you literally drink them together. The whisk(e)y goes into a shot glass that’s dropped into the beer. The drinks then mingle in the beer glass to become a whole new creation.

According to Bulleit, the name is often linked to 19th-century American laborers who worked on locomotives and steam boilers. After their shift, they’d order a whiskey and a beer.

So we’re kicking off our first boilermaker build with that brand. Bulleit clearly enjoys championing the serve and suggests several pairings. The most approachable, in our view, is Bulleit Bourbon with a lager.

The bourbon brings vanilla, oak, sweetness, and a peppery kick, while a crisp lager counters with malt and bubbles. That last bit matters: after a sip of bourbon, the beer resets your palate for the next. Drink them side by side for the best result.

Prefer something fuller? Bulleit Bourbon also works beautifully with an amber ale. The beer’s malty sweetness dovetails with the whiskey, while the bourbon’s spice stands its ground.

The third boilermaker combo is Bulleit 10 Year Old with stout. Think dark chocolate, coffee, and creaminess from the beer, set against caramel and more mature oak notes from the bourbon. Sounds like a party in your glass (or glasses), doesn’t it?

Not a bourbon fan? You can also pour a Scotch single malt into your glass. For instance, try The Singleton 12 Year Old with Guinness.

The Singleton 12 is soft and sweet, with flavors reminiscent of toffee, apple, and espresso. Guinness brings roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, and a touch of pleasant bitterness. The drinks don’t drown each other out; they complement and elevate one another. Take a sip of whisky, then a sip of Guinness, and you’ll instantly get why such a simple pairing has stuck around so long.

Another winner is Guinness with a small splash of Caol Ila 12. Why age stout in smoky whisky casks when you can infuse on the spot!

The charm of the Boilermaker isn’t about finding one perfect pairing. It’s the experimentation that makes it fun. Go bourbon with lager, or an Indian whisky with an IPA. Or pair a Scottish single malt with a Guinness and enjoy the best of both worlds.

You can even turn it into a full tasting with different beers and whiskies side by side. Maybe the Boilermaker isn’t old-fashioned at all. What combo would you try? Tell us in the comments below.

Fun Fact: What’s the mnemonic for whisky with and without an e? Easy: lots of Irish emigrated to America, so Ireland and America use the e and y: whiskey.