The spicier, more potent cousin to ginger ale, ginger beer originated in England in the 1700s, but now is heavily associated with the Caribbean cuisine. The name "ginger beer" is actually a misnomer, as most commercial ginger beer is a soft drink and contains no alcohol. The beverage's potential for throat-scorching can make drinking it straight unpalatable. Trust me, it ain't Schweppes or Canada Dry. Therefore, most temper it with dark rum, à la Dark and Stormy cocktails, which always brings to mind pirates and Bermuda.

Ginger beer will not get you a buzz, but Crabbie's alcoholic ginger beer will, and fans of a spicier drinking experience will be able to find it in Tacoma starting next week.

Thursday, March 27, Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer (4.8% ABV) will hit the wooden bar at Doyle's Public House in Tacoma's Stadium District. From 6 to 8 p.m. Doyle's will offer Crabbie's Original and the new Spiced Orange, which recently became available throughout Washington, served chilled over ice with a slice of citrus, for $4 and in a special cocktail - The Ginger and Jamey, Crabbie's Ginger Beer and Jameson Irish whiskey - for $7.

"Doyle's has been an incredible supporter of Crabbie's since it became available and the first spot in Washington to carry the new flavor, Spiced Orange," says Phil Clarke, general manager of St. Killian, the exclusive U.S. importer of Crabbie's, in a news release. "We look forward to our Crabbie's party and we hope to meet new friends and fans and enjoy these delicious drinks together."

The ginger in Crabbie's is cold steeped for up to six weeks and then combined with four secret ingredients. Crabbie's Spiced Orange offers the same refreshing taste as the original but with a lighter ginger profile and an orange flavor.

For guests who'd like a bite with their Crabbie's, the kitchen will prepare a special dish for the evening - Crabbie's Ginger Wings for $4, to complement the ginger beer.