Five Sydney Bars Putting a New Twist on Whisky and Beer

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While the boilermaker might be the combination of choice for those looking to mix their grains, it's not the only way to get a fix of your favourite brew with a tasty dram. Until the end of June, Glaswegian whisky Auchentoshan (pronounced ock-un-tosh-un, for the phonetically cautious) is steering this boozy union to a clever new place, reimagining the age-old Scottish 'hauf an' a hauf', as a refreshing cocktail for the discerning scotch-sippers of today.

Until the end of June, a number of joints around Sydney will be serving an Auchentoshan & Ale, which is not a beer, not a whisky, not even a boilermaker, but something refreshingly different, says brand ambassador Michael Nouri. Smooth, uniquely triple-distilled and a great whisky for cocktails, Auchentoshan American Oak complements a blend of pale ale, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup, making one warming, yet refreshing drink. It's a new way of drinking two birds with one stone — that's how the saying goes, right? Find out where you can sip your own Auchentoshan & Ale in Sydney below.

PAPA GEDE'S, CBD

This CBD cocktail bar takes inspiration from the deep south of the US of A, from the witch doctors of the bayou, and offers potions and elixirs that range from rum-based tiki drinks, to refreshing juleps and absinthe mixers. With an extensive and elaborate cocktail menu, adding one more is no chore for the expert drink slingers.

NORSK DOR, CBD

A fairly new player on the scene, Pitt St's Norsk Dor takes its inspiration from the Scandinavian north, creating a menu that draws from Norse tradition. The bartenders are used to interesting combos, with drinks on the menu like their Danske Delight combining tequila, beetroot and citrus. And considering the warming property of whisky, the Auchentoshan & Ale slots right in with the cocktails at this cosy underground bar.

SODA FACTORY, SURRY HILLS

One of Sydney's favourite party haunts, Soda Factory also boasts a cocktail list that expertly twists classic drinks into fresh, new combinations. Grab a brew and ale combo while soaking in the live tunes that this bar-behind-the-hotdog-shop so lovingly provides.

BITTER PHEW, DARLINGHURST

No stranger to a variation of delicious drops, Darlinghurst's Bitter Phew boasts twelve taps of rotating brews and a healthy smattering of whiskies from all around the world. These expert cocktail slingers know exactly how to craft a drink with perfect balance, so the Auchentoshan & Ale is in safe hands.

WEBSTER'S BAR, NEWTOWN

After recently revamping their style to reflect the original hotel, Webster's in Newtown has redesigned their role in Sydney's whisky scene, as well. The cocktail bar on the middle level boasts one of the biggest collections of whiskies in town, and the cocktail list shows they know their way around a mixed drink or two.

Learn more about why whisky and beer go so well together, and get yourself down to one of these Melbourne haunts for an Auchentoshan & Ale.