Aidan Demarest, beverage director at The Edison, is hosting a beer soiree at Bar Keeper on December 8, including a little brass band and beer cocktails from mixologist Marcos Tello. Yesterday, Demarest described the event as “a Christmas party for industry people and people who are into Joe’s shop,” but anybody’s welcome to attend for free.

Demarest launched Edison Beer with Rhonda Kallman, who helped start Samuel Adams with Jim Koch. Kallman owns Philadelphia’s New Century Brewing Company. Their light beer is available at The Edison (of course), along with Comme Ca, Good, Villa and STK.

“It’s a smart alternative to a light beer,” says Demarest. “We’re putting together these great drink programs, and somebody orders a Bud Light, and it’s a bummer. We also discovered, since we do a lot of cocktails, that it mixes really well. Marcos and I came from Doheny and Seven Grand, and we’re always thinking, what can you do with cocktails with it?”

For Monday’s event, Demarest and Tello decided on two Edison Beer cocktails. Tello was kind enough to provide the recipes:

Margaveza – From Daddy’s in Brooklyn
Take 12 oz. bottle of Edison beer poured in a pint glass, topped with four ounces of Frozen Margarita.* Garnish with a lime.
** Frozen Margarita: 2 oz. Tequila, 1 oz. Cointreau, 1 oz. Lime Juice, 2 oz. Simple Syrup, ¾ cup Cracked Ice. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend and pour.

Bloody Beer
Take 12 oz. bottle of Edison beer poured in a pint glass, topped with four ounces of Bloody Mary.**
** Bloody Mary:
* 1 oz. Vodka
* 1 Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
* 2 Dashes of Tabasco
* Pinch of Salt & Pepper
* .25 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
* 2 oz. Sacramento Tomato Juice