DRAFT Magazine

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From Jim

“Don’t get me wrong, I totally love the wide variety of beer out there but sometimes I find my mind drifting off into the world of fiction. To be more precise, Romulan Ale. It’s potent, may cause hallucinations and if I was a member of Starfleet, it would be outlawed…which makes it even more attractive.”

I totally see where you’re coming from Worf. I’ll see your Romulan Ale and raise you one pint of Klingon Bloodwine (twice as strong as whiskey!). I too have contemplated the fictional spirits that pour into my living room from the TV screen: Duff Beer from “The Simpsons,” Buzz Beer from “The Drew Carey Show,” and who could forget Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, courtesy of one Zaphod Beeblebrox of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” fame. I’d gladly welcome all of these to happy hour, but the one drink I’d love to try – hold the laughter – is Butterbeer from Harry Potter. Given the amount of time I’ve spent drinking in bars on both sides of the pond, I’ve come across a few beers that deliver a thick butterscotch flavor, but sadly these beers were infected by dirty lines.

As I understand, Butterbeer can be served both hot and cold, and delivers a sweet buttery (or light butterscotch) flavor. While this barely alcoholic drink hit the big times in the Harry Potter series, English celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal claims the drink actually dates back to his country’s Tudor period. Here’s his recipe courtesy of England’s Channel 4:

Butter Beer
500ml ale
Yolks from 2 medium eggs, whisked
60g sugar
Dash of nutmeg
15g unsalted butter

* Pour the ale into a warm pan on medium heat. When the beer begins to boil remove from heat and add the whisked egg yolks, sugar and nutmeg. Return the pot to a low heat and stir for 2 minutes. Take off the heat and whisk in the butter. Decant into your finest flagon and chug.

Of course, if you don’t want to slave over the stove you could just shell out your hard earned recession bucks at the shiny new Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios in Orlando. Take it away John Thomas!

Pumpkin Juice? Really? You missed the big story John, and that big story’s called Butterbeer.

Know of any recipes for fictional drinks? Send them HERE and I’ll post them. Until then, check in on Twitter for musings on real beer.