Best Local Drink

In a college town, people are always on the lookout for a new cocktail mix, but often the classics reign supreme. Described as “always special, always dangerous,” the Hairy Bear at Bear’s Place contains so much alcohol it “makes you want to climb tall buildings,” according to the Bear’s Place Web site. With 7.4 shots in each 32-ounce drink, that’s no wonder.

“People come in at 8, 9 o’clock at night. They have one Hairy Bear and they’re good for the rest of the night,” bartender Phil Resler said.

When mixing the drink, Resler said the order ingredients go into the pitcher is key — as is proportion — to getting just the right color, consistency and flavor. He said the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, so much so he had to sign a confidentiality agreement when hired. All he could say was that it was topped off with Sprite.

“A lot of people think it tastes like grapefruit juice, but there’s no grapefruit juice in it,” Resler said.

Invented by bartenders in the ’70s, Resler said the current owner trademarked the drink when he bought the restaurant, which appears to have been a sound business move. Resler said on Thursdays — karaoke night — patrons go through at least 60 gallons of the drink, bringing in about $7,000. There is also a special on those nights; Hairy Bears are $7 instead of $8. Even on regular weeknights, Resler said they bring in at least $200 to $500, with visitors chugging five to 10 gallons.

Bear’s Place also makes the Hairy Bear’s “younger sister,” the Hairy Beaver, but for now it’ll have to be second to its brother.