Post 1 of 25: OK so way back in October 26 I was invited to check out the beer cocktails at Essex Public House. Something I was looking forward to trying ever since they were first mentioned on the restaurant’s grand opening press release. I’ve been to Essex a couple of times before and while I had always enjoyed the food — mmm Figs in a Blanket! — I never got a chance to try out the cocktails.

But on this night I was hooked up with not only the unusual beer concoctions on the new menu but even some off-the-menu beer-y goodies. Yay! I was excited about these because beer cocktails aren’t something you usually see on a cocktail menu as hard-core drinkers usually seek something with more kick while teetotallers find them too potent. But I find this in-between of beer and spirits a fun way to ease into a night of drinking.

Out of the two regular beer cocktails, the instant favorite was the Ginger-Ale ($11) which was so refreshing and light and didn’t taste like beer too much. It’s perfect for those who want to get their buzz on but aren’t that crazy about the taste of alcohol. The recipe for you to try it at home after the jump.