Old Style 5 / Chicago Handshake Recipe

Chill and prepare glass

Place the pint or pilsner glass in the freezer for 10–20 minutes before serving, or fill with ice water for 5 minutes then dump out. A very cold glass keeps the lager crisp and reduces foaming when poured.

Open the 12 oz bottle or can of Old Style (or similar lager) right before pouring to preserve carbonation.

Tilt the chilled glass at a 45° angle and pour the beer gently down the side until the glass is about two-thirds full. Straighten the glass and pour to create a 1/2 to 1 inch head of foam.

Prepare the rim (optional)

If you want a seasoned rim, run the lemon wedge around the outer lip of the glass (not inside). Dip the wet rim into a shallow plate with a mixture of coarse kosher salt and Tajin (adjust proportions to taste; roughly pinch of each). This creates a salty-chili rim typical of a Chicago Handshake variation.

Garnish and handshake

Serve the beer with the pickle spear and lemon wedge on a small side plate or speared onto the rim. Offer a strip of beef jerky or a mini hot dog alongside if desired. The traditional 'Chicago Handshake' is the combination of beer, a dill pickle, and a salty/savory snack — the drinker alternates sips of beer with bites of pickle and jerky/hot dog, finishing with a squeeze of lemon if desired.

To drink: take a bite of the pickle (or a small piece of jerky), then take a sip of beer. Optionally squeeze the lemon into the beer or over the pickle to brighten flavors. Repeat until finished.