Red Beer Is The Unofficial State Cocktail Of Nebraska

Some people may read the title of this article and proclaim “red beer is beer, not a cocktail!” We hear you, but there’s really no other mixed drink that says Nebraska quite like this simple concoction of beer and tomato juice.

No one seems to know exactly how the red beer originated, though it does bear a resemblance to the Michelada. However, Micheladas also contain salt, lime, and spices to add a kick to the drink.

Pexels/Bruno Scramgnon

Here in Nebraska, we tend to keep it uncomplicated, using nothing more than beer and some tomato juice. (Though you won’t lose your official Nebraskan status if you order it spicy or with a garnish.)

flickr/Peyri Herrera

Some people speculate that the red beer came about in an attempt to jazz up boring light beer. We may never know, but we do know that it’s delicious.

flickr/Richie Nakano

Suggest a red beer to an out-of-stater and you’re likely to get kind of a strange look. But once they take a drink they’ll understand the appeal of the simple but refreshing beverage.

flickr/Brent

Red beers are especially popular at tailgate parties on Husker game days. The Husker-red color just seems to scream “Go Big Red!” The drink is also said to be a great hangover remedy, just in case you imbibed a bit too much the night before.

flickr/dabruins07

Want to make your own red beer? It’s just as simple as it looks: mix one part tomato juice with two parts beer. You can play around with the proportions to suit your tastes. If you’re feeling fancy, drop in a couple of green olives or a pickle or stir in a few drops of Tabasco sauce.

flickr/Latisha

Red beer is a tasty, refreshing drink no matter how you dress it up. It’s not exclusively a Nebraska thing - people in some other Midwestern states enjoy a similar drink - but we like to think that our simplified version is the best.

Public Domain/Alan Levine

Where’s your favorite place to get a red beer? Do you have your own recipe to share? Sound off in the comments!