Best Workouts to Pair With a Craft Beer

You might not often see the words "workout" and "beer" paired closely, maybe even less often encouraging the two together. Drinking a craft beer before or during a workout isn't advisable, but they certainly can go together in the right order. While there may not be any apparent health benefits to sipping a bubbly brew after engaging in your workout of choice, there is a valid argument for enjoyment. 

Not all gym sessions need to be serious, and you might be more motivated to keep that cardio regimen if you reward yourself for sticking with it. As long as you're staying hydrated while exercising, a delicious post-workout beer can boost your mood, help you relax and make you appreciate the grind just a little bit more. Or, if you really love a great beer, a lot more. Here are some of the best workouts to pair with Thompson Island's top brews — or vice versa. 

Yoga & Cosmic Cow

Yoga is all about deep breathing, finding your inner balance and focusing on being in the present. As far as workouts go, it's one of the most meditative. But that doesn't mean it isn't intensive. Depending on your skill level or how long you've been practicing yoga, it can be relaxing, healing and even meant for muscle building. After a fruitful yoga session, either with a group or on your own, you'll likely feel loose, calm and ready to take on anything that might come your way.

After you finish in Savasana and roll up your mat, you can pair your new-found enlightenment with a Cosmic Cow, our milk stout that'll take you over the moon with each sip. The Cosmic Cow is pleasantly aromatic, with velvety notes of coffee, chocolate and toffee. Its flavor runs as deep as those stretches you've just completed, so sit back and enjoy this full-bodied favorite. Remember to breathe deeply. 

Bike Ride & Thompson Island Helles Lager

If you like to take your workouts outdoors and enjoy the local scenery, you'd benefit from a bike ride. It's a low impact activity and good for strengthening your leg muscles and stamina. You can ride around your neighborhood or on a flat course or challenge yourself with a few hills and inclines. Whatever route you choose to take on, you can complete your ride with a guilt-free craft brew. 

The best kind of drink to have after a long ride is something crisp and refreshing. Our Thompson Island Helles is a clean, German-inspired lager, providing you with plenty of flavor that goes down easy. With a medium body and breadier malt taste, this beer is certainly a treat most will enjoy.

Beach Volleyball & Good Times Double IPA

There's nothing like getting your exercise in by having fun with your friends — especially if you're at the beach. While you're soaking up the sun and sand, you can play a pickup game or two of volleyball, or continue your matches until one team earns bragging rights or you're tired out. Once you've crowned a victor and are ready to relax, it's time to sit and watch the water with a brew in hand.

You can keep the beach vibes going with our Good Times Double IPA, a hazy beer with enough bitterness to give you just the right amount of bite. The tropical hops will add to the ambiance and pair well with your sandy toes and fresh tan. If craft beer and exercise took a vacation, this is what it would look like. 

Lifting & Loblolly Blonde Ale

If you're a lifter, you know how intense your workouts can get. Each day, you're training different muscles and aiming for new personal bests. Whether you're lifting to achieve your body goals, work on your strength or make it to a competitive level, it's crucial to leave downtime for recovery. It's also the perfect time to enjoy a cold beer. 

For a post-lift libation, our Loblolly Blonde Ale serves as an easy-drinking reward. Leave the heavy weights at the gym. The Loblolly is light-bodied and clean, making it a tasty choice for just about any palate and enjoyably refreshing after strenuous physical activity. Treat yourself for showing up while relaxing and rejuvenating. 

Swimming & Beautiful (Pomegranate) Kettle Sour

For a full-body exercise that's easy on the joints and incorporates cardio, there's nothing better than swimming. You can do a few laps at a local pool, take a dip in a nearby lake or ride the waves at the beach. Stay in the water for as long as you like or until your fingers get pruney. Once you're ready to throw in the towel for the day, you can dry off and drink up.

Swimming can both make you build up an appetite and crave something flavorful. Our Beautiful Pomegranate Kettle Sour is tart and bitter, a perfect contrast to the taste of ocean or pool water. The beer is heavy with pomegranate flavor as well, giving you a deep, fruity taste to pair with the sour hops. It's excellent in all seasons, to top off a summer swim or after an indoor winter circuit. 

Just Be Sure to Enjoy Responsibly

While a drink post-workout isn't a big deal, too much can start to affect your body. Beer and athletic recovery don't pair too well, as overconsumption can increase the amount of time it takes your body to bounce back and negatively affect muscle protein synthesis. It'll make muscle building more difficult and can prolong injuries. But this is only if you're drinking heavily on the regular, which isn't recommended in any case. Also, be sure to save your drinks for after you're finished working out — beer and running can be an uncomfortable combo. 

The key is moderation. Sports Medicine published a 2014 study stating that consuming under 0.5 grams of beer per kilogram of your bodyweight won't have an adverse impact. To put that in terms of serving sizes, that means two 12-ounce beers for a person weighing 150 pounds is acceptable. So one to two brews is nothing to be worried about, especially if your frame is on the bigger side. You can also opt for the healthiest craft beers, which are those with lower carb and calorie counts and smaller alcohol by volume percentages (ABV). 

Take a Break With Thompson Island IPA

Every athlete deserves to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy a tasty beer after a workout. Make your regimen more enjoyable with your favorite Thompson Island craft beer. Our classic Thompson Island IPA is perfect to pair with any sport or training session. With grapefruit and tangerine notes as well as piney hops flavors, you'll want to work out more often. As long as you drink responsibly and enjoy in moderation, you'll have a new ritual that's both motivating and delicious.

For more information about our seasonal brews and what we have on tap, feel free to drop us a line.