Ingredients
- 5 cl Orange Bitters
- 20 cl Bitter Beer
Instructions
- Mix amer picon and beer in a pilsner.
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Picon Biere is a quintessential French aperitif, particularly popular in the north of France and Belgium. Its origins trace back to Gaetan Picon, who created Amer Picon in the 1830s while serving in the French army in Algeria. The combination with beer became a common, casual way to enjoy the bitter liqueur, especially in the mid-20th century. It’s a working-class drink, found in brasseries and cafes.
This drink sits in the broad family of beer cocktails, though it’s more of a fortified beer. It’s a distant cousin to drinks like the Shandy or Radler, which also combine beer with a non-alcoholic mixer, but the Picon Biere uses a bitter spirit. It’s also related to other aperitif and soda/mixer combinations, but its simplicity and specific bitter profile set it apart.
You’d typically find a Picon Biere served on a sun-drenched terrace in Lille or a bustling cafe in Brussels. It’s the kind of drink you order before dinner, perhaps with a small plate of frites. It’s not a fancy cocktail bar item, but a reliable, everyday pleasure in its native lands.
What it tastes like
The Picon Biere leads with a complex, bittersweet orange peel character from the Amer Picon, quickly followed by the crisp, hoppy bitterness of the beer. In the middle, a malty backbone from the beer emerges, balancing the herbal and citrus notes. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a lingering, pleasant bitterness that invites another sip.
Using 5 cl of Amer Picon (typically around 21% ABV) and 20 cl of bitter beer (assume 5% ABV), the total volume is 25 cl. The alcohol from the Picon is 5 cl multiplied by 0.21, which equals 1.05 cl pure alcohol. The alcohol from the beer is 20 cl multiplied by 0.05, which equals 1.0 cl pure alcohol. Total pure alcohol is 2.05 cl. The overall ABV is approximately (2.05 divided by 25) multiplied by 100, which is 8.2%. This makes it stronger than a typical beer but significantly lighter than most standard cocktails.
The technique
Building a Picon Biere is straightforward. Start with a chilled pilsner glass. Pour in the Amer Picon first. Then, slowly top with the cold bitter beer. A gentle pour helps to maintain a good head on the beer and ensures proper mixing without excessive foaming. There’s no need for stirring, as the carbonation from the beer will naturally integrate the ingredients.
The most crucial technique tip here is to pour the beer gently to avoid over-foaming. If you pour too aggressively, you’ll end up with a glass full of foam and not enough liquid, which means waiting for the head to subside or having to top it up multiple times. A smooth, angled pour down the side of the glass preserves the carbonation and creates a perfect head.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Amer Picon
- Use
- Look for Amer Picon itself. If unavailable, Byrrh Grand Quinquina or a similar bittersweet orange aperitif can work as a close alternative, though the flavor profile will shift. Some craft bitters brands also make Picon-style liqueurs.
- Skip
- Do not use common orange bitters like Angostura Orange Bitters or Regan’s Orange Bitters No. 6. These are concentrated bitters meant for dashes, not for 5 cl pours. The result would be overwhelmingly bitter and undrinkable.
- Why
- Amer Picon provides the signature bittersweet, herbal, and orange complexity that defines the Picon Biere. It’s the load-bearing ingredient that gives the drink its name and character. Without it, it’s just beer with something else.
Bitter Beer
- Use
- A classic, crisp lager or a pale ale with a pronounced hop bitterness works best. Think European lagers, pilsners, or even some session IPAs. The bitterness should complement the Picon, not overwhelm it. Brands like Stella Artois, Heineken, or local pilsners are good choices.
- Skip
- Avoid overly malty, sweet, or heavily flavored beers like stouts, porters, or fruit beers. Their flavor profiles will clash with the delicate bitterness of the Amer Picon, resulting in a muddled taste rather than a harmonious blend.
- Why
- The bitter beer acts as the refreshing base, diluting the Amer Picon while adding its own crisp, hoppy notes. Its carbonation lifts the aromatics and provides the effervescence that makes the drink so quaffable. A good bitter beer balances the Picon’s sweetness.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Picon Club
- A splash of sparkling water.
- For a lighter, longer drink, add a splash of sparkling water to the Picon Biere. This extends the refreshment without significantly altering the core flavor.
Picon Citron
- Lemon zest or a twist.
- A simple lemon zest expressed over the top or a lemon twist in the glass adds a bright, aromatic citrus note that complements the orange in the Amer Picon.
Picon Vin Blanc
- Picon with white wine.
- Instead of beer, combine Amer Picon with a dry, crisp white wine, typically served over ice. This offers a different kind of bitter wine spritzer experience.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try a similar bittersweet orange aperitif like Byrrh or even a small amount of Campari mixed with a bit of simple syrup to soften its intensity. The flavor profile will change, but it will still be a bitter beer cocktail.
A light lager or even a crisp cider can work in a pinch, though the final taste will be less bitter and might lean sweeter. Avoid anything too heavy or flavored.
Any tall, straight-sided glass will do. A highball or even a pint glass will work. The shape isn’t critical for taste, just for presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Picon Biere?
A Picon Biere contains Amer Picon, a French bitter orange aperitif, and bitter beer. The recipe typically calls for 5 cl of Amer Picon and 20 cl of beer.
Is Amer Picon a bitter?
Amer Picon is an aperitif that is distinctly bitter, with prominent orange and herbal notes. It is not a concentrated cocktail bitter in the same category as Angostura, but a standalone liqueur.
What kind of beer works best?
A crisp, bitter lager or pilsner is ideal. The beer should have a clean finish and enough bitterness to complement the Amer Picon without clashing.
Is Picon Biere strong?
A Picon Biere typically has an ABV around 8%, making it stronger than most standard beers but lighter than many cocktails. It’s designed as an aperitif.
Is Picon Biere served cold?
Yes, it should be served well chilled. Both the Amer Picon and the beer should be cold before mixing for the best refreshing experience.
Can I make Picon Biere non-alcoholic?
No, Amer Picon is an alcoholic aperitif. There isn’t a direct non-alcoholic substitute that captures its unique bitter and orange profile.
What does Picon Biere taste like?
It tastes bittersweet and refreshing, with prominent notes of bitter orange, herbs, and the crisp, hoppy character of beer. It finishes clean and slightly bitter.
Where is Picon Biere popular?
It is most popular in the north of France and Belgium, where it is a common aperitif served in cafes and brasseries.
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