A Swig of Pig: Drinkable Bacon

Bacon takes on the shape of its container in beer, spirits and more
by Felicia D'Ambrosio on May 10, 2012 in Culture
A Swig of Pig: Drinkable Bacon

Celebrated Oregon outfit Rogue Ales is the latest brand to concoct a product exploiting Americans’ bordering-on-grotesque fascination with strips of smoked pork belly. Devised in conjunction with Portland’s Voodoo Doughnuts, the porter recreates the experience of scoring Voodoo’s much sought-after Maple Bacon Bar, and includes applewood-smoked bacon and maple syrup in its long list of ingredients. VooDoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale is available in a limited run at Portland-area pubs, and by mail order, in jazzy pink-painted 750ml. bottles for $13 a throw.

Though Rogue may be the best-known outfit dabbling in the grease of our totem animal, they aren’t the first. Read on to discover drinkable bacon for morning, noon and night.

Experience the smoke without the pig parts in a bottle of Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier, the original smoked-malt beer designed to accompany the smoked sausages of Bamberg, Germany. This rauchbier has inspired countless imitators, including Reinschweinsgebot by Brooklyn Brewery. With a grain bill that included malt smoked in the same room as bacon combined with a bacon fat-washed brown ale, this 20-case limited run was served on a Per Se tasting menu, among other events, but never produced in quantity.

A more attainable infusion can be found in Uncommon Brewer’s Organic Bacon Brown Ale brewed with bacon and buckwheat in Santa Cruz, of all unlikely places. These 16oz cans are available in the Bay Area, Oregon, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

There’s more boar in a pour of Bakon Vodka, recipient of a neckful of medals and praise from professional tasters like the Beverage Testing Institute. The spirit’s dry, crispy slice-of-bacon profile is a natural for Bloody Marys; the brand’s website offers recipes and even suggests trying a Bakon chocolate martini.

If no swinified booze lines your local vendor’s shelves, the internet abounds with recipes for bacon-izing vodka and bourbon, in the manner of New York cocktail bar Please Don’t Tell and their famous Bacon Old Fashioned.

Non-alcoholic smoked pig beverages can be achieved on-the-go with fizzing bacon tablets even Willy Wonka never dared dream of.  Popmaster Jones Soda experimented with a short-lived run of Bacon Soda in 2010, but has no plans to resurrect the monster for future production.

Fast-fooder Jack in the Box rolled out a Bacon Shake sans any piggy bits and heavy on the sodium benzoate over the winter, while Pirate Cat Radio Café in San Francisco whisks house-rendered bacon fat into steamed milk for a maple-sweetened latte garnished freely with Bac-Os.  For just $200, Pirate Cat Radio founder Monkey will visit your house and throw a Maple Bacon Latte Party for you and 25 of your friends.  The two Benjamins also score a full bacon-based brunch menu, bringing the sizzle and the plate back to the bacon experience.

Top photo via Bakon Vodka on Facebook

Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
The Shark Week Drinking Game

The Shark Week Drinking Game

This year, one of cable TV's longest-running programs celebrates its 29th anniversary. Enjoy it to the fullest with this handy game. Shark Week starts...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 26, 2016
A Spanish Winemaker is Producing Blue Wine

A Spanish Winemaker is Producing Blue Wine

We've all heard of red wine and white wine. But now, we can get what we've always dreamed of when looking through a wine list: blue wine. ...read more ›

by Ryan Hudak Jun 21, 2016
Devil's Creek Brewery Is Open in Collingswood

Devil's Creek Brewery Is Open in Collingswood

Collingswood's first brewery, Devil’s Creek Brewery, opened its doors recently on May 21 at its new spot on Haddon Avenue....read more ›

by Erica Bauwens Jun 2, 2016
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Craft Beer Garden and Restaurant Comes to Cooper River

Craft Beer Garden and Restaurant Comes to Cooper River

Cooper River Park in Pennsauken may be known for weddings and crew races, but a new beer garden is giving craft beer lovers a new excuse to check out ...read more ›

by Erica Bauwens Jun 2, 2016
Tonewood Brewing Is Coming to Oaklyn

Tonewood Brewing Is Coming to Oaklyn

Oaklyn is getting a brand new brewery called Tonewood Brewing, which will be run by two brothers, with a projected opening date of Tuesday, June 7....read more ›

by Erica Bauwens Jun 2, 2016
Medford's Main Street Is Experiencing a Craft Beer Boom

Medford's Main Street Is Experiencing a Craft Beer Boom

Medford in Burlington County will soon be home to two craft breweries along their Main Street drag....read more ›

by Erica Bauwens May 18, 2016
The Inventor of St. Germain, Robert J. Cooper, Has Passed Away at 39

The Inventor of St. Germain, Robert J. Cooper, Has Passed Away at 39

The inventor of St. Germain passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016....read more ›

by Alexander Frane May 2, 2016
Make This Purple Cocktail To Honor Prince's Memory

Make This Purple Cocktail To Honor Prince's Memory

Make this delicious purple cocktail to honor Prince's memory....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 21, 2016
This Late Night L.A. Restaurant is Serving Boozy Bowls of Classic Kids Cereal

This Late Night L.A. Restaurant is Serving Boozy Bowls of Classic Kids Cereal

Grab a boozy, late-night breakfast at L.A.'s newest concept....read more ›

by Alexander Frane Apr 19, 2016
Disney's Tower of Terror Is Getting a Bar

Disney's Tower of Terror Is Getting a Bar

Disney's Tower of Terror is getting its very own bar....read more ›

by Alexander Frane Apr 15, 2016
SPONSORED
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close