A hearty concoction known as red beer is beginning to develop a following at local bars. It may not be as familiar to bar patrons as, say – a black and tan, an Irish car bomb or its distant cousin the Blood Mary, but those adventurous enough to order one won’t soon forget the unexpected flavor combination.

Red beer at its simplest is a lager combined with a few ounces of tomato juice. Its simple preparation and full-bodied taste have long made it a staple for tailgating sports fans mixing drinks from the back of pick-up trucks and imbibing well before the clock strikes noon.

Red beer is proudly served at Brass Rail Tavern, 401 N.E. Emmett St., in Topeka’s historic Oakland neighborhood, where it has proved popular year-round.

“We love red beer,” said bartender Lesley Hayward. “We’re a tavern – which means we serve beer only – so we’re always putting a lot of variety out there.”

Brass Rail bartenders serve up red beer with either the traditional tomato juice or clamato juice – a mixture of tomato and clam juice. There is always a jar of green olives in the fridge for customers who want to add a finishing touch.

The tomato juice gives the beer a richer taste and thicker texture, Hayward said. In fact, red beer may be the closest equivalent to a serving of vegetables for those who prefer to drink their meals. It’s also a popular choice for many a haggard patron nursing a punishing hangover the morning after.

“It’s a hair of the dog first drink of the morning,” Hayward said, laughing. “You can’t beat it.”