Folks used to think of beer as the less sophisticated, blue-collar cousin of classier spirits. But modern brewers are infusing their liquid with flavor profiles every bit as complex as those of cocktails. Whatever your mixed drink of choice, there’s probably an ale or lager out there that can please your palate. We’ve pulled a six-pack of Southern cans and bottles that provide a similar balance of sweet and sour, or bitter and boozy, as several popular cocktails—without the jiggers to fill, garnishes to slice, or gadgets to clean.
Manhattan
Beer: Bigfoot American Barleywine
Sierra Nevada, North Carolina/California
At 9.6 percent ABV, Bigfoot is boozy and warm like a Manhattan, while still providing sweetness and a bitter bite on the finish.
Mimosa
Beer: If It Doesn’t Have OJ, I’m Not Drinking It
Two Tides Brewing, Georgia
When your brunch libation is OJ-forward, sometimes you’re getting squeezed on the alcohol. Not so with Two Tides’ tangy fruited sour, which clocks in at a deceptive 8 percent ABV.
Negroni
Beer: Slap Fight
Monday Night Brewing, Georgia
Just like a good Negroni, this West Coast–style IPA offers balanced bitterness, with a note of citrus. Sub out the herbalness of Campari for a touch of pine, and you have Slap Fight.
Negroni
Mead: Serum: Transfusion
Brewlihan Mead Company, Florida
Sometimes called honey wine, mead isn’t technically beer, but Transfusion is a bubblier session mead that blends spicy ginger with lime zest. A chilled copper mug is optional.
Margarita
Beer: Gose
Westbrook Brewing, South Carolina
A light-bodied wheat beer, brewed with coriander, it’s equal parts tart and sweet, and just saline enough that you won’t need to salt the rim.
Tequila Sunrise
Beer: SIPS Parish Sunrise
Parish Brewing, Louisiana
This Berliner-style ale ups the fruit factor, adding mango, peach, and guava to blood orange, but the real twist is an effervescence that finishes bold and juicy.