Amer Biere

The Amer Biere is a straightforward beer cocktail, a simple mix for when you want a little more complexity than a plain pint. It’s a low ABV option that adds a bitter citrus twist to your chosen brew. Think of it as a sophisticated shandy for those who appreciate a touch of aperitif character in their casual drinking. It’s a refreshing, easy-drinking choice that won’t knock you off your feet.

Amer Biere

4.55 from 24 votes

Calories: 2kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 1 oz Orange Bitters
▢ 0.33 oz Lemon Syrup
▢ Bitter Beer

Instructions

▢
Pour amer picon and lemon syrup into a beer mug. Fill the mug with beer and stir.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 2kcal

Where it came from

This style of beer cocktail, where a bitter aperitif is mixed with beer, is common in France and Belgium, particularly in the northern regions. The name ‘Amer Biere’ literally translates to ‘Bitter Beer,’ pointing directly to its simple, functional origin as a refreshing, low-alcohol drink often enjoyed during the day or as an aperitif.

It sits comfortably in the family of beer cocktails, alongside the Radler or Shandy, but with a distinctly more bitter, herbal edge due to the Amer Picon or similar orange bitters. Unlike a simple beer and lemonade, the Amer Biere offers a more adult, complex flavor profile without adding significant sweetness.

You’d likely find this served on a sunny patio in a European cafe, or as a casual, easy-drinking option in a neighborhood bar. It’s a perfect fit for a relaxed afternoon gathering, or as a light pre-dinner drink that won’t overpower your palate.

What it tastes like

The Amer Biere leads with the bright, zesty notes of lemon syrup, quickly followed by the complex, bittersweet orange and herbal character of the orange bitters. The bitter beer provides a malty, hoppy backbone, rounding out the drink with a refreshing, slightly bitter finish that cleanses the palate.

Given the small amount of syrup and bitters, the Amer Biere’s ABV will be very close to that of the beer you choose, typically around 4-6 percent. This makes it significantly lighter than a standard spirit-based cocktail, putting it firmly in the sessionable, low-alcohol category, similar to a light beer or a shandy.

The technique

Building an Amer Biere is as simple as it gets. Start by pouring the orange bitters and lemon syrup directly into your chilled beer mug. Then, slowly top it with your chosen bitter beer, aiming to minimize excessive foam. Give it a gentle stir to combine the ingredients without de-carbonating the beer too much.

The most crucial technique here is a gentle, thorough stir. You want to fully integrate the syrup and bitters without flattening the beer. Stir just enough to mix, then stop. Over-stirring will kill the carbonation, leaving you with a flat, lifeless drink.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Orange Bitters

Use: A good quality orange bitter is key. Amer Picon is the classic choice for this drink, but other French-style amers or even high-quality orange bitters like Angostura Orange will work.
Skip: Sweet orange liqueurs like triple sec or curaçao. They lack the necessary bitter complexity and will make the drink cloyingly sweet.
Why: Orange bitters provide the signature bitter, aromatic, and citrus backbone that defines the ‘Amer’ in Amer Biere, balancing the beer and lemon.

Lemon Syrup

Use: Homemade simple syrup with fresh lemon juice, or a good quality commercial lemon syrup. The balance of sweet and tart is important here.
Skip: Plain lemon juice. It’s too tart without the sugar balance and will make the drink unpleasantly sour.
Why: Lemon syrup provides the necessary sweetness and bright citrus counterpoint to the bitter elements, balancing the drink and adding a refreshing tang.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Grapefruit Biere

A more tart, slightly drier take.: Substitute grapefruit bitters for orange bitters and use a grapefruit syrup instead of lemon. This pushes the drink into a more intensely bitter citrus profile.

Spiced Amer Biere

Warm spice notes for a different season.: Add a dash of Angostura bitters along with the orange bitters, or swap the lemon syrup for a spiced pear or ginger syrup. Use a slightly darker lager for best results.

Dark Biere

Richer, maltier, and still refreshing.: Use a dark lager, stout, or porter instead of a bitter pale beer. The roasted notes of the darker beer will complement the orange bitters in a different, more robust way.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Orange Bitters?

Use a dash of Angostura bitters and a splash of orange liqueur for a different, sweeter profile, or another bitter aperitif like Campari if you want more bitterness.

No Lemon Syrup?

Make a quick simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to taste.

No Bitter Beer?

A crisp lager or a pale ale will work well. Avoid overly hoppy IPAs as they might clash with the bitters.

No Beer Mug?

A pint glass or any large glass will do. Just make sure it’s chilled to keep the drink cold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in an Amer Biere?

An Amer Biere contains orange bitters (like Amer Picon), lemon syrup, and bitter beer.

Is Amer Biere strong?

No, it’s a low ABV drink, with an alcohol content similar to the beer you use, typically around 4-6 percent.

What does Amer Biere taste like?

It’s bitter, citrusy, and refreshing, with a malty beer base and a complex orange-herbal character.

What kind of beer should I use for Amer Biere?

A crisp, bitter lager or a pale ale works best to complement the other ingredients.

Can I make Amer Biere sweeter?

Yes, you can increase the amount of lemon syrup or add a small amount of plain simple syrup to your taste.

Can I make Amer Biere less bitter?

Yes, reduce the amount of orange bitters or choose a less bitter style of beer.

Is Amer Biere a common drink?

It’s a popular and traditional drink in parts of Europe, particularly in France and Belgium.

Can I use regular orange bitters instead of Amer Picon?

Yes, while Amer Picon is traditional, other quality orange bitters will give a similar, though not identical, bitter orange profile.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read

Beer, Cocktail, A, Bitter Beer, Lemon Syrup, Orange Bitters, Photo, Recipe

Amer Biere

Amer Biere

Amer Biere

Ingredients

Instructions

Estimated Nutrition:

Where it came from

What it tastes like

The technique

Tell us what's in your cabinet.

One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.

Ingredient Spotlight

Orange Bitters

Lemon Syrup

Three Variations

Grapefruit Biere

Spiced Amer Biere

Dark Biere

What if I don't have…

Frequently Asked Questions

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