For the average American, hearing “snakebite” doesn’t elicit positive thoughts. But that’s not the case for our friends across the pond! Our owner Lynda Parrish is a big fan of the traditional English bevvy, mixing beer and cider for a unique & deliciously refreshing drink.

Within her hometown and throughout the UK, Snakebites are a popular drink all year round! But here in the US, we’ve found that the best time to enjoy one is on St. Patrick’s Day. In honor of the holiday, here are her tips on crafting the perfect Snakebite of your own:

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative!
A traditional Snakebite is Stout + Dry Cider, so our Kinda Dry cider with a Guinness would be an excellent choice. But with so many incredible craft beers in Oregon, why not play around? A sour beer + Prickly Punch is sunshine in a glass. A crisp lager + Imperial Peach Tea is a complex and refreshing sipper.
Embrace those English Traditions
Lynda’s favorite way to enjoy a Snakebite is with a shot of Black Currant syrup added. Commonly referred to as “The Diesel,” you can find the syrup available in the international aisle of most grocery stores.
Get the Layered Look
To create that photo-worthy layered lager on top of the cider effect, use the “back of the spoon” method. To do this, pour the cider into your pint glass, then slowly pour the lager or other beer of your choice over the back of the spoon. This allows the beer to pour down the edge of the glass and rest on top of the cider, forming those pretty layers.

In years past, we’ve hosted a “Snakebite Showdown” at our pubs or virtually on social media, pinning local breweries & cideries head-to-head to earn the title of best Snakebite. This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, we’re featuring a special Snakebite collaboration with our friends at Oregon City Brewing.

The delicious pint is filled with OCB’s Fire in the Wagon Grodziskie with our latest small-batch cider Abbey Apple. The result is a smooth, decadent sipper that’s apple-forward with a slightly smoky finish. Find it this weekend only at Oregon City Brewing’s pub on Washington St. or two Portland Cider Co. pubs (Westside or Hawthorne-Portland). Sláinte!

Portland Cider Company was founded in 2013 to bring hand-crafted, award-winning cider to the Northwest. The company recognizes Portland and her bold spirit as the inspiration behind its innovative ciders and promises the cleanest, tastiest, and most enjoyable cider-drinking experience the city has to offer. Including the new Westside Pub, Portland Cider has three taproom locations in the Portland Metro Area, where they encourage all to visit, sample, and expect more from the cider they drink.

Crafting the Perfect Snakebite