(Hard) Liquor-free libations

Blind Tiger Ale House | Bloody Beer

When a liquor's strongest selling point is that it's flavor-free, it's time to toss vodka to the curb. That's just what suds mecca Blind Tiger Ale House has accomplished with its Bloody Beer, which replaces vodka with brewskis. The mix changes weekly, but a current blend includes a midnight-hued Sixpoint Diesel stout, wheaty Aventinus doppelbock and North Coast's mega-potent Old Rasputin Russian imperial stout. They're mixed with thick tomato juice and double doses of black pepper and snow-like horseradish speckles, then topped by a staggering smorgasbord of skewered olives, jalapeños and cheese (!?), and depth charges of pepperoncinis and pickles. ($7.50)

Drinkability: 5 stars. Screw you, vodka: This rich, brawny bruiser is zesty and dangerously drinkable. Hello, beer, are you in there? Oh, yes, now we're drunk.

Blind Tiger Ale House (281 Bleecker St., 212-462-4682)