Let’s set some ground rules: A boilermaker is a beer and a shot served together, but only can be called a proper boilermaker if the whiskey shot is dropped into the beer, then chugged. Otherwise, you have yourself a “one-and-one” situation, which is a shot of liquor with a beer back.

You’ll sometimes see a bar patron with a Pony High Life and a shot of gut-punching whiskey in-hand — more often than not, they’re in the industry. Or they’re just good at drinking.

But does this pairing have to be combined and chugged? Are you meant to sip each element proportionately? Do you take the shot of whiskey and slowly drink the beer? We’re going to take a look at the different ways people drink their one-and-ones, and what it means about them.  Get ready for some armchair one-and-one philosophy. The Drop and Chug
The drinkers who use the drop and chug method don’t mess around — in life, business or at the bar. They either don’t have time to gingerly sip a shot and beer, or they don’t have the patience. These people are all about necessity and efficiency.  The kicker is that these people enjoy the ceremony of it all; the act of dropping the shot into the beer is a part of the experience for them.

The Shot and Beer Back
These are people that like to get tough things out of the way early in order to sit back and enjoy the more enticing things in life. They're the ones who always like to get the bad news first, who will mow the lawn and do the laundry early on Saturdays so they have time to laze around the rest of the day.

The Sip-Sip
These are the people we all envy — the ones who have time to really slow down and savor life. These are the people who easily find the picture in those stupid 3D posters or can tell you one of the jokes from today's comic section in the newspaper. They like long nights out instead of a quick post-work drink.

Once you've figured out how to consume your beer-plus-shot, here's where to try it in Dallas:

Vetted Well
With ten boilermaker combinations with Dallas-centric names like The Grassy Knoll and the The Big Tex, you’ll find one to fit your taste.
1005 S Lamar St. (The Cedars)

City Tavern
It doesn't get any more basic than this — it's a PBR and a shot of Jack Daniel's. The best part is that this little duo is just $4 every day, all day. That'll knock the dust off.
1402 Main St. (Downtown)

Cedars Social
Sometimes you just want a shot ... and a beer ... and to not have to think about it. The bartenders here choose one special shot and beer pairing each day that they peddle for $6.
1326 S Lamar St. (The Cedars)

Twilite Lounge
They go old-school here with their options like the Gran Torino, a pairing of Kentucky Deluxe and a 16 oz. PBR, and you'll get both for $5.
2640 Elm St. (Deep Ellum)

Armoury D.E.
Their playful pairings go beyond the whiskey and beer combinations with options like the Lemaster Blaster (Austin Eastcider and Grand Marnier). All pairings are served side-by-side, so you choose your fate.
2714 Elm St. (Deep Ellum)