Forbidden Root & Fernet-Branca Collaborate to Create “Fernetic”

By Sam Slaughter February 5, 2017

forbidden root collab — Image used with permission by copyright holder

When you’ve got a brewery that makes it their purpose to highlight the amazing flavors of botanicals, and a spirit that’s made from twenty-seven different herbs and other ingredients, good things are bound to happen.

In this case, Fernetic happened, thanks to Chicago’s first botanical brewery, Forbidden Root and talian Amari producer Fernet-Branca.

If you missed it last week, we already wrote about why you need to check out Forbidden Root. This new collaboration, the first for Fernet, is yet another delicious reason.

After working with the Branca family, the team at Forbidden Root deconstructed Fernet-Branca’s recipe in order to create the 8.4% ABV black ale.

“Our goal was to find a way to translate the Fernet-Branca experience into beer and Forbidden Root was the natural partner to make this happen. Amaro and craft beer fans alike will now get to experience something that has never been done before – the first collaboration of this kind for both Fernet-Branca and Forbidden Root,” Edoardo Branca, the sixth generation Branca family member now managing the Fratelli Branca business in the U.S., said in a statement.

That experience includes using ingredients such as rhubarb root, saffron, and wormwood (in addition to many of the other twenty-seven botanicals that give Fernet-Branca its distinctive flavor). The nose of Fernetic is a mix of coffee and mint, and the palate is roasty, a little bitter, and a little creamy.

Fernetic is available on draft and in 22-ounce bottles (that are dipped in black wax) on a very limited basis for $14.99. Starting this month, Fernetic will be also available in Massachusetts, Florida, Rhode Island and Ohio.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…

Food & Drink

Drink up at these amazing bars — they’re favorites of famous authors

The literary bars of literary giants

Writers and bars have a special connection. These haunts are where ideas are forged, new characters are developed, and--in some cases--where the next great American novel is created.

Within these hallowed walls, you can feel the buzz of creative energy. Sure, Hemingway and Hunter S. Thompson may be gone, but their spirit remains, permeating these watering holes with an atmosphere you just don't get anywhere else.

Food & Drink

How to make an Old Fashioned cocktail the right way

When you're mixing up an Old Fashioned, you don't want to do it wrong

An Old Fashioned cocktail on a counter

For many bartenders and drinkers alike, the Old Fashioned holds a special place in their collective hearts. If we were ever reduced to a single cocktail on the menu — heaven forbid — we'd still do just fine if this classic whiskey drink was it. Frankly, it's a tried-and-true cocktail worthy of its legacy and colossal popularity.

Brooks Reitz is the founder of Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. He also runs Leon's Oyster Shop and Little Jack's Tavern, among others. With a classic drink like this, it can be easy to overlook the subtleties. "I think the biggest miss with most Old Fashioned recipes is not using enough bitters," Reitz said. "They are really the tie that binds the whole thing, and you really want that spice on the backend to bring everything home."

Food & Drink

Rye whiskey vs bourbon: The differences explained

There are a lot of differences between the two whiskeys

Whiskey in a glass on a table

When it comes to whiskey, there aren’t any as American as bourbon and rye whiskey. They’re like apple pie and the designated hitter. Sure, Canada makes rye whiskey as well, but rye whiskey is as entrenched in American history (if not more) as bourbon.

We all know that bourbon whiskey is referred to as America’s “native spirit,” but both have been distilled here for centuries. But, while these two whiskeys have long histories in the US (and before the formation of the country) they are very different in ingredients, flavor, and use. Fear not; we’ll let you in on all the differences between the two classic whiskey varieties. Keep scrolling to learn all about them. After reading this, you’ll be an expert on the two most American whiskey types.
What is rye whiskey?