It wasn’t until an odd law that was still on the books as recently as ten years ago, that banned the mixing of liquor and beer was repealed, that the boilermaker was able to make its lawful return to bars across the state.

No one knows when it was first enacted, and since its repeal I haven’t been able to find the original law on the books anywhere, but its effect echoes out and leaves a clear paper-trail. For decades, Nebraska stood alone as a state where it was illegal to make and serve beer with a shot. It is believed that it was originally put in place near Prohibition, as a way of keeping people from introducing alcohol to nonalcoholic beer.

Between 2007-2010, the Legislature had multiple attempts to overturn this law, introducing what was called the Boilermaker Bill to overturn it. Part of the reason it stalled so many times was under the pressure of an organization called Project Extra Mile, a group that works to prevent underage drinking. Project Extra Mile, at the time, was attempting to get flavored alcoholic drinks, like wine coolers and hard seltzers, classified as hard liquor, and felt that the Boilermaker Bill was undermining their efforts.

Whatever the case, the Boilermaker Bill was eventually passed, and you are now able to mix your drinks with freedom. Project Extra Mile was also eventually successful as well, and in 2012 alcopops were classified as ‘distilled spirits’.

It’s nice when everyone gets a win.