8 Best Post-Workout Beers
There's no replacing the nutritional boost of a protein smoothie with electrolytes after a run. But there's also no substitute for the joy of a cold beer after a hard workout. Here are eight delicious American craft beers that can satisfy any palate; from the light-beer lover to hardcore hop head.
Session Lager
Pop open the stubby brown bottle and enjoy this true American-style pilsner. Unlike bland, similarly light-colored, mass-produced beers with "pilsner taste," this beer from the craft brewers at Full Sail has sweet, bready barley with a light, spicy hops touch. Made with the same care as an IPA or imperial stout, this seemingly simple beer is an amazing crowd-pleaser and thirst-quencher.
Our tasters say: "Very refreshing with light hops." "A great beer to drink cold!"
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Sly Fox Royal Weisse
First off, don't hate the can. This lined aluminum chills faster, keeps beer fresher, and won't shatter if it slips from your sweaty hands. The beer inside the can is no slouch either. A German-style hefeweizen wheat beer, the Royal Weisse is smooth with banana and clove flavors over a light, doughy malted wheat and barley mixture. It's a fantastic option for folks shy of light lagers, or merely in search of a different, yet satisfying post-run or BBQ beer.
Our tasters say: "Tastes like bubblegum and bananas, in a good way." "Well balanced, I'd drink a lot."
Firestone Walker Pivo Hoppy Pils
In American brewing fashion, the experts at Firestone Walker took the classic, eminently drinkable European pilsner and amplified the grassy German hops to American craft beer standards. By adding more hops at the end of the brewing process, Firestone boosted the aroma to create a bouquet of spicy melon fruit. Consider this a post-run beer for thirsty hop heads who love a good pale ale, but need a lighter-bodied beer on hot days.
Our tasters say: "Long-lingering hoppy aftertaste." "I'd love to pair this with spicy Indian or Mexican food."
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Summit Extra Pale Ale
This microbrew classic has been around since 1986 and weathered decades of changing tastes thanks an immaculate balance of hops and malt flavors. Inspired by the English pale ale-a style that favors neither ingredient-Summit EPA brings toasted and toffee malt together with spicy, citrus hop flavors for a beer more substantial than your average lager, but still more refreshing than most ales.
Our tasters say: "Love, love, love the toasty malts." "Really interesting; refreshing, but not too light."
New Belgium Abbey Ale
New Belgium's Fat Tire Amber Ale hogs all the press for the Colorado-based brewery, but the Abbey is its best tribute to beers from its namesake country. Modeled after the strong, Trappist monk-brewed ales of northern Europe, this dark amber beer mixes smooth caramel malt flavors with the fruity, banana and spice notes created by traditional abbey brewer's yeast. At 7-percent ABV, it's a beer to drink carefully, but it's flavorful enough that you won't mind taking it a little slower.
Our tasters say: "Sweet, reminds me of banana bread." "I could take a long pull of this after a hard run."
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Founders All-Day IPA
Love hops, but not the high alcohol of hoppy beer? All-Day IPA keeps a very reasonable 5-percent ABV, while providing the bursting hops character of an IPA normally in the 6- to 8-percent range. From the aroma through the finish, this brew highlights the big, zesty grapefruit and pine flavors of American hops, but with milder bitterness levels and a medium-weight body akin to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
Our tasters say: "Love that it's hoppy but lower alcohol." "Very drinkable post-run."
Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
French and Belgian famers used to treat their workers to light, refreshing farmhouse ales in the hot summer months. Over the years, the farmhouse-also called saison-style morphed into a stronger, richer ale, but it retained the crisp edge and delicate flavors of its ancestors. Though the Tank 7 hails from Kansas City, MO, and not Brussels, you'd hardly know the difference. This masterfully brewed beer adds citrusy American hops to the dry, toasty, peppery ale. The combination of strength (8.5 percent) and complex flavors make it a beer worthy of treating yourself after a particularly grueling weekend long run.
Our tasters say: "Perfect for reflecting on a run." "The bright, natural carbonation is refreshing."
Middle Ages Wailing Wench
This 8-percent ale defies beer styles. It's a strong red ale rushing with juicy American hops, but it also features a quirky English yeast strain that provides a drier body than most beers at this weight, plus mild sugar-cookie undertones. It's a little on the heavy side, but in a delicious, comforting sense that any hop-lover won't mind. Sold in 22-ounce bottles, it's an ideal beer to share with your favorite training partner after a big race. If your run doesn't give you plenty to talk about and enjoy, this beer will.
Our tasters say: "Big and bold, in a great way." "Hoppy, but well balanced."
Written by Matt Allyn
Matt Allyn is a certified beer judge, co-author of The Brewer's Apprentice, and the senior online editor at Bicycling magazine. Follow him through mud, sweat, and beers on Twitter at @mdallyn.
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