You’ve peaked. That grueling hike to the top of the mountain is behind you, whether you’re hoofing it in hiking boots or skinning on skis. After all the high-fiving is done and before the descent begins, it’s time to sit back, catch your breath, take in the view—and toast the triumph. Let us introduce you to the wonder that is summit beers. You’re not just stashing the mismatched brews knocking around in your fridge into your pack, no sir.
“A great summit beer is [hopefully] cold and [definitely] sessionable, since you still have to get down safely,” advises Chelsea Coe, New Castle, CO-based certified beer server, “so low ABV is the way to go,”
“Heavy, malty beers or massive, hop-blasted IPAs have their place, but it’s not on the trail,” says Toth. “Good hiking beers are the ones that leave you feeling refreshed—session beers, pilsners, kettle sours. Remember you’re celebrating at the summit, but it’s not that kind of celebration. You still need to keep your head on straight.”
Here are our 17 favorite brews to savor at the summit before a safe, stumble-free descent.
17 Best Summit Beers to Drink After Crushing Steep Vert
Courtesy of AleSmith Brewing Co.
1. AleSmith Brewing Co. Kickbackrelax
This 4.2 percent ABV IPA is a natural go-to on the trails. “We were really excited to roll out Kickbackrelax because it’s the perfect option for someone looking for a lighter, more crushable IPA,” says head brewer Ryan Crisp, of the recent release from the San Diego brewery. “Since it’s only 120 calories and super easy to drink, it’s ideal for active people who still want a solid IPA and the ability to make it back down the mountain after a tough climb.” Expect notes of juicy grapefruit, mango, and coconut—and a refreshingly smooth finish.
Portland, Maine’s craft brewing giant offers this Belgian-style table beer with a 4.8 percent ABV and delightful hop-forward grapefruit and stone fruit tasting notes. If you sip conscientiously, you may detect the coriander, too. Bonus: It’s an equally solid pick for post-hike afternoon barbecues.
This Jackson Hole, Wyoming, brewery churns out a selection of top-notch beers. For a hiking accompaniment, we’re partial to this 4.0 percent ABV pilsner that’s light and crisp with strong floral notes. It’s an optimal choice at normal altitudes too.
There’s no better time to drink this beer from famed Grand Rapids, MI, brewing company Founders than while sweaty and celebratory about a tall achievement—like scaling a big hill. “All Day IPA is crafted for outdoor adventures like hiking and is the ideal brew for any activity,” says Founders head, Jeremy Kosmicki. “It’s incredibly refreshing, with tropical and citrus hops aroma, moderate bitterness and a perfect balance of flavors.” And at 4.7 percent ABV, it shouldn’t hamper your pace.
The trio of hard ginger beers from this Burlington, Vermont, craft brewery reflects the company’s solid efforts to revive the long lost art of alcoholic ginger beer production (liquidated during the Prohibition era). Volcano Juice (4.1 percent ABV) is the least “hard” of the three—brewed with organic lemons and slightly sweet with a forward ginger-citrus tang.
Looking for a solid non-alcoholic choice with good hops? This tasty, vegan, dairy-free find offers real pale ale tastiness without all the aftershocks. “Where a classic IPA would be too much, Indiewave packs plenty of hoppy-but-not-too hoppy flavor into a beer that can still keep your mind clear for the hike down,” says Toth. For a medium-bodied follow-up back at the trailhead, try their non-alcoholic Belgian-Style White Ale, made with blood orange peel and coriander.
The beer giant’s signature alcohol-free brew offers a reliably malty body with some hints of fresh fruit—with zero hangover. Heineken 0.0 represents over 20 percent market share in non-alcoholic beverages. In other words, lots of folks agree it’s the best of the bunch.
This sessionable IPA is dry-hopped with eight different varietals, offering plenty of interesting tropical and citrus notes. At a moderate 5 percent ABV it’s daypack friendly, non-filling, and accessible enough for “normal beer” enthusiasts to comfortably savor at the summit too.
For some extra evergreen with your climb, the piney-est IPA from this San Luis Obispo, CA, brewery is made with actual fresh spruce tree tips—plus Citra hops and a tinge of orange peel. The contents alone make it a must for this list, but at 7 percent ABV we strongly suggest saving this one for your return to ground level—or for vicarious couch-hiking sessions on your next outdoor documentary binge.
10. Greenbrier Valley Brewing Co. Wild Trail Pale Ale
This medium-bodied pale ale from West Virginia-fan favorite Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company pairs beautifully with carbs, sweat, and total exhaustion. Superb hops from the Pacific Northwest gives this brewski a swirl of mango, tangerine, and piney flavor. The 5.7 percent ABV is a befitting nod to your sylvan ascent. Save the second round for your post-trek picnic back at the base.
Salida, CO’s Elevation Beer has something for all outdoor adventures. “I almost always have an 8 Second Kolsch in my hydration pack,” says Coe. “It’s light and crushable without sacrificing flavor, crisp like a lager, subtly fruity like an ale, and super-bright and refreshing once you reach the summit.”
12. Athletic Brewing Co.—Upside Dawn Golden Ale (Non-Alcoholic)
Outdoorsmen are sure to dig this nuanced non-alcoholic brew made with organic Vienna malt, hops, and other fine ingredients. It’s only 50 calories and the perfect way to take a breather at the end of that grueling 14-miler without worrying about your energy crashing or worse—a mid-descent hangover.
Bright, tart, and fruity, the apricot purée really shines in this sessionable sour ale—the successful result of many kettle sour experiments in the Dry Dock Brewing lab. “This goes down easy once you reach the top of the trail,” says Toth. Equally important, he adds, “it leaves you ready for another once you get back down to the bottom.”
Advanced Cicerone and National Homebrew Competition gold medalist, Mandy Naglich, is a fan of this golden ale that clocks in at 100 calories and a hiking-manageable 3.7 percent ABV. “The beer has a touch of natural mango flavor which is a nice twist on the typical taste of a low-calorie beer,” says Naglich, who notes that it’s also crafted to reduce gluten for hikers conscious of their intake.
“For a brewery from the plains, Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Co. makes a great summit beer,” notes Coe. “Easy Sport Rally Ale is another perfect celebratory brew when you want to sit on a tree stump and take in the views.” Featuring just a touch of salt, this blonde ale doesn’t quite cross into gose territory, “but has just enough to balance the citrus notes beautifully,” she adds. At 4 percent ABV, Easy Sport is as super drinkable as the name kind of implies.
“Pregnancy didn’t stop my fishing or day-trek excursions, and I was looking for something ritualistic to enjoy outside,” recalls Coe, who was pleased to discover Gruvi’s non-alcoholic IPA, brewed with Mosaic, Citra, and Galaxy hops. “It’s balanced, hoppy and gives you all the bitterness and flavor you’re looking for out of an IPA — without the ABV,” adds Coe. If you like this one, try their non-alcoholic pale ale on your next summit bid.
Chad Brodsky, a Boston resident who is the founder of Brewvana.com and City Brew Tours, thinks that just about all German Gose beers hit the spot when hiking. “Brewed with sea salt and coriander, it’s like the Gatorade of beer—with actual electrolytes due to the salt added during the brewing process,” says Brodsky. “It’s slightly tart and super-refreshing with a relatively low ABV.” Brodsky’s go-to? The Lost Nation Gose out of Waterbury, Vermont, which comes in 16-ounce cans.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
Courtesy image
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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