Beertails: The New Cocktail

2 Park Ave (Entrance on 32nd St btwn Park and Madison), New York, NY 10016 (map)

Cocktails and brew are united at this high-ceilinged Murray Hill bistro, which takes its beertails as seriously as its cheeses. Try The Hamptons--a transporting blend of Stoli vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh lemon and Hofbrau Hefeweizen beer; you'll finally feel like you've made it into the upper echelon of society. Enjoy your beertail at the bar or from the comfort of Artisanal's cheese cave while indulging on classic bistro fare.

281 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

This beloved Greenwich Village beer bar's version of the bloody mary, called the Bloody Beer, combines a thick and zesty house-made bloody mary mix with an ever-changing combination of strong, wheaty, malty ales. Better yet, the concoction is served in a pint glass and garnished with skewer upon skewer of pickles, olives, cheese, pepperoncinis, habanero chiles and olives. The result is a flavorful, robust drink that will leave you buzzed and vowing never to butcher a bloody with flavorless, drink-thinning vodka again.

45 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003 (map)

This small neighborhood restaurant serves seasonal cuisine inspired by a myriad of cultures, but what's even more inspired is the list of 10 prepared beers that are seemingly mixed with everything but the kitchen sink. Standouts include the Muddy Puddle, which combines Sierra Nevada Stout, Old Pogue Bourbon, iced espresso and peanut dust, and the Alice in JoeDoe Land, made with Smuttynose Summer Weizen Ale, Absinthe Verte, gingered kumquat and chamomile tea. Enjoy your beer cocktails at the bar or at a table, but keep in mind that all the seats in this East Village spot are carved from church pews, so behave--gluttony is a sin.

100 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 (map)

New Yorkers flock to this crowd-pleasing Mexican resto primarily for its food and fresh fruit cocktails. But we'll let you in on a little secret: Mercadito's Micheladas (a traditional Latin American beer cocktail that's part of the family of "cerveza preparada") are the best around. Mercadito's version of the classic beertail combines a brew of your choice with lime, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and salt. The final concoction is refreshing, spicy and hands-down deliciosa.

149 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003 (map)

The Brits have been guzzling shandies (lager with lemonade, ginger beer or other soft drink) since the 19th century. At this English-style East Village pub, the shandy (made here with lager and 7UP) is one of eight tasty beertails on the menu; another is the Snakebite, made with lager, cider and an English drink mix, Ribena Blackcurrant. So rally your chums for a few rounds at the bar or snag an outdoor table. And for the complete British experience, top it off with an order of fish and chips or shepherd's pie.

413 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009 (map)

Two things may seem odd about including Terroir in this list: First, it's a wine bar. Second, the only beertail on the menu combines egg yolk with beer, and that just sounds gross. But the mixologists at this East Village spot (owned by the proprietors of nearby Hearth) know what they're doing. The Abbey Flip--made with Ommegang Abbey Ale, coriander syrup, pomegranate molasses and egg yolk--is frothy, flavorful and surprisingly tasty.