What’s one of the best ways to beat the stifling summer heat? By downing an ice-cold brew at one of many sprawling beer gardens, of course. While the Germans may have perfected the art of imbibing outdoors, we’ve gotten pretty damn good at it right here in the U.S.A.
Wherever your upcoming travels bring you this summer, take advantage of the fact there’s probably a killer beer garden nearby. To help guide you on your thirst-quenching quest, we’ve collected six of the best beer gardens across America worth visiting this summer. We’ll cheers to that.
1. Raleigh Beer Garden
Where to find it: Raleigh, North Carolina
Why you should go: Guys who like to keep their options open will feel right at home when visiting the Raleigh Beer Garden. They hold the Guinness World Record for most beers on tap, boasting an ever-changing lineup of more than 350 varieties. Located in the Glenwood South district of downtown Raleigh, the expansive outdoor space regularly hosts events like trivia nights, silent discos, and drag brunches. It’s also pet-friendly, making it the perfect spot to bring a date, meet up with friends, or catch some live music.
2. Lowry Beer Garden
Where to find it: Denver, Colorado
Why you should go:Denver is already known as being a mecca for beer-lovers, and the Lowry Beer Garden only reinforces that reputation. Housed in a revamped airplane hangar on a former Air Force base, this Oktoberfest-inspired space is actually set in its very own park. The outdoor garden area covers more than 9,000 square feet and communal picnic tables can seat a whopping 500 guests. They offer a slew of draft and bottled beer (with an emphasis on Colorado and handcrafted brews). There’s also an impressive menu featuring locally made brats, freshly baked pretzels, and creative house-ground burgers.
3. Schulz Bräu
Where to find it: Knoxville, Tennessee
Why you should go: Craving some authenticity? Schulz Bräu is owned by a family from Germany, and their team specializes in traditional German ales and lagers. This beloved Knoxville brewery is located within a literal castle, boasting a 2,500-square-foot tap room. Every table, bench, and chair in the 6,000-square-foot biergarten comes straight from Germany. Their award-winning beers are created by following the Reinheitsgebot (a series of regulations from 1516), which limits the use of ingredients to nothing more than malt, water, hops, and yeast. Their on-site Schnitzel Kitchen also dishes out all the classic staples you could ever want, including Bavarian cheese, wiener schnitzel, currywurst, and more.
4. Fermented Reality Biergarten
Where to find it: Tampa, Florida
Why you should go: Nestled in the center of Sparkman Wharf in downtown Tampa’s new Water Street neighborhood, Fermented Reality Biergarten has quickly become a fan favorite with locals and tourists alike. The breezy destination opened in late 2018 and has attracted a steady stream of beer enthusiasts ever since. This is thanks to their prime waterfront location, welcoming atmosphere, and extensive beer selection. They feature more than 40 local and international varieties on tap. The lush outdoor garden space provides an idyllic escape to sip on your favorite suds while soaking up the Florida sunshine.
5. Estabrook Beer Garden
Where to find it: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Why you should go: When Estabrook Beer Garden first debuted, it marked America’s first truly public beer garden in nearly 100 years. Inspired by Milwaukee’s rich brewing legacy, it’s modeled after the beer gardens found in modern-day Munich. This verdant retreat within Estabrook Park sits on a bluff overlooking the Milwaukee River. The unique location allows visitors to arrive by foot, bike, kayak, canoe, or car. Whet your whistle with a selection of beers imported from Munich Hofbräuhaus while reconnecting with Mother Nature. And since it’s a public park, people can opt to pack their own picnic baskets or order traditional Bavarian fare.
6. Moon River Brewing Company
Where to find it: Savannah, Georgia
Why you should go: Do you prefer some boos with your brews? If so, head to this (potentially) haunted beer garden. The Moon River Brewing Company is located within one of Savannah’s oldest buildings. Dating back to 1821, it’s lured paranormal investigators from Ghost Hunters and Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures. Known as Savannah’s original brewpub, Moon River has been brewing some of the city’s finest craft beer since 1999. Their 5,400-square-foot beer garden can accommodate up to 200 people, and all their beer is produced on-site in their 15-barrel copper-clad brewhouse. Needless to say, it’ll quickly become one of your favorite Savannah haunts.
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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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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