| Beer and Workouts - Perfect Together by Shelly Lyman Hello Bob - I've been in a running club that always get together for beer when we're done. Actually sometimes I think we're a beer club that likes to run. Either way everyone in the club has learned that the most important thing for recovery from an endurance activity is definitely hydration with water (and electrolytes if needed depending on the activity) or beer. I'm not kidding. So for all of your readers who are trying to work off those few extra pounds thanks to sitting around during the pandemic my advice is to focus on those basic aspects of fueling your sport and to keep enjoying beer – working out doesn't mean you have to give it up as long as you drink in moderation.. Having said that there are some things to consider. Although beers contains electrolytes it doesn't fully replenish what you lost when exercising. That's because beer is a diuretic. The reality is you have to drink beer with low ABvs to remove the diuretic effect of the alcohol. That may seem like a problem but it's not. The good news is that craft breweries are catering to fitness-minded drinkers. Back in2017 Dogfish Head in Delaware released Sea Quench Ale, made with sea salts and minerals including calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium and sodium to help sate thirst and replace lost electrolytes. Not only did it rehydrate, it tasted great, at least to me. About a year later they released Slightly Mighty IPA, a low-alcohol ale (4% ABV) with only 95 calories (a typical IPA can have 200 calories) and 3.6 grams of carbohydrates –rivaling tasteless Michelob Ultra. Slightly is so good it's the top-selling low-calorie IPA out there as far as I know, with sales more than doubling in the last year, Brewery co-founder Sam Calagione said that Dogfish Head made its first "active life style beer," a 4.8% Belgian-style white ale called Namaste, more than a decade ago, initially to serve after brewery yoga sessions, now it's a staple for many who have never done, nor want to do, yoga. Dogfish is not alone. Harpoon released its Rec. League hazy pale ale in 2019 as an option for we health-conscious drinkers. That too was a hit with consumers as sales were up nearly 50% in the last year. A recent consumer survey commissioned by the brewery validated its strategy. Better-for-you ingredients were more important than a year ago for nearly one-third (31%) of the 949 consumers surveyed. Healthier ingredients were more important to millennials, those aged 27-41 (52%), than to GenXers, aged 42-56 (26%). While I just miss being a millennial I couldn't agree more with them. The survey went on to find that factors consumers considered important for healthier options were calorie count (28%), carbs and sugars (28%), nutritional ingredients (27%), and alcohol strength (27%). I think these performance beers are a growing trend that will not be slowing down any time soon, There is a clear evolution in beer and especially for those people who want to have an active and healthy lifestyle while also enjoying the amazing taste of great craft beer. The bottom line is that you can have your cake and drink it too. You really can have tasty beer that actually compliments and even enhances any workout routine. That's nothing less than magic, if you ask me.. Bob, thanks for considering my submission for publication. I had fun writing it and hope you enjoyed reading it. ------ Thanks to Shellyor a most interesting article. It's easy to see why workout beers (low abv, low carbs, low calories) are so popular with people who exercise and even with those who don't. I'd like to invite everyone to send me their own columns about anything related to beer in any way just as Shelly did. I select the best and publish them here. So join in and get writing! Cheers! Bob |
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