Hemp Shandy a la Picon Bière

About This Beer Shandy 

This hemp shandy combines an effervescent summer lager with the sophisticated botanicals of a non-alcoholic bitters fermented and distilled from hemp. The resulting libation is modeled after the French beverage picon bière. 

What is Picon Bière?

Picon is a French bitters flavored with oranges. It is either enjoyed as an apéritif or used in mixed drinks, predominantly with white wine.

When added to beer, the combination is known as picon bière. It is traditional in the North and East of France and is also known in areas of the United States with French Basque immigrant heritage. 

What is The Pathfinder Hemp and Root?

The Pathfinder Hemp and Root is an innovative spirit distilled from hemp and flavored with a number of botanicals. These infuse the base liquid with an array of herbaceous flavor notes.

The Pathfinder is non-alcoholic but because it has the complexity of a bitters it is a welcome addition to cocktails without the undesired effects of alcohol.  

What Does The Pathfinder Taste Like?

The libation offers a complex array of notes that entice the palate. Overall it tastes bittersweet and gently tart, nuanced by the balanced herbaceous infusion.

Imbibers can enjoy a bouquet of flavors comprised of Douglas fir wood, sage, orange peel, ginger, juniper, saffron, wormwood and Angelica root. It is exquisitely crafted. 

A Colorful Presentation to Match

Rarely do you see anything marketed in such a resourceful, memorable way as The Pathfinder. The bottle makes a potent and lasting first impression which is then only further strenghtened by the merits of the actual spirit itself. 

The label is a riot! Besides the eloquent description on the front of the bottle (see above), take a look at the expressive wording on the side (below). 

The hemp spirit, "a guide through new dimensions", is inspired by the American West's history of traveling apothecaries and snake oil vendors.

Truly a modern elixir for those looking to add the versatility of a bitters to a number of beverages without increasing the alcohol content.

The Dirty Neighbor Shandy - The Pathfinder +Narragansett Lager

The summer sipper pictured below combines a clean, crisp and well-balanced lager with a generous allowance of the hemp spirit. 

The shandy is modeled after picon bière and is known as Dirty Neighbor. It was conceived by one of The Pathfinder's most enthusiastic ambassadors, Kraig Rovensky, owner of Life on Mars in Seattle. 

Narragansett Lager, the companion brew, is steeped in history.

A heritage craft beer of New England, it is brewed in Providence, Rhode Island. With an ABV 5% and only 12 IBU it is loaded with flavor, boasts a beautiful deep amber color and eagerly forms a fine, white head. Look for similar lagers when mixing this particular shandy. 

To make the Dirty Neighbor: simply pour the Narragansett lager in a pint glass and spike it with an ounce or two of The Pathfinder Hemp and Root. 

Other Ways to Enjoy The Pathfinder

Because The Pathfinder behaves like a spirit it is easy to enjoy it as one - neat or on the rocks.

You can also use it with other non-alcoholic mixers such as soda water or coffee or add it to a number of classic cocktail recipes. 

Try it in:

• Negroni
• Manhattan - if you are really in the mood for something special mix this Kriek Manhattan and lace it with a bit of The Pathfinder
• Martinez
• Old Fashioned
• other classic cocktails where a good bitters is essential

Pictured below is a purely non-alcoholic drink known as The Pathfinder spritzer. Refreshing, slightly tart and abundant in aromatic nuances. 

To make The Pathfinder spritzer: combine two ounces or The Pathfinder Hemp and Root with half an ounce of lemon juice. Top with soda water and enjoy over ice in a highball glass.