Beer Mixology is the art or skill of crafting cocktails that use beer as the main ingredient and spirits,  liqueurs, wine or aromatic bitters as mixers. Beer Mixology started when beer was used to replace effervescent beverages such as soda and champagne in some cocktails. And I have found myself amazed with craft cocktails, even ones as simple as a shandy or radler, which is a mix of beer or cider with lemonade or any other sweet carbonated soda. Bar Congress Bar Manager Jason Stevens exaplains, "When you add hops directly to spirits, or make a hop tincture, you insolate specific flavor characteristics in the green hop instead of the often "cooked flavors" in complete beer. Whether you prefer popping open a can, mixing up a simple shandy, or going the advanced route with hop infusions, there are no limits to the ways beer and its flavor components can be enjoyed, integrated with other flavors and used to enhance other drinks."

What is your favorite craft beer mixology? Comment below or tweet me using #ABCbeercocktail

Nadine Sweeten, Beer Consultant at ABC on Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota

Follow her on Twitter @abcbeernadines