The church of the pre-race beer
It’s a pretty poorly kept secret that runners like beer. Like a lot.
Whether it’s a community 5k with a hoppy reward at the end, or Hoka One One pro Kyle Merber on Twitter, runners like to have a beer or two after a good race.
Or maybe even before.
For some runners, a beer the night before a big race is a religious experience.
They’ll say it’s part of their “carbo-load,” but really it’s just to take the edge off. The carbs in most beers are already digested by yeast, so they’re basically useless.
Still, tons of runners swear by it, and I’m one of them.
For me, I like to have a 26.2 Brew the night before my races (this isn’t an ad but I’d totally sell out to them. The beer is good).
It’s made by Boston Beer Company, the same company that makes Sam Adams, and it’s a beer made by and for runners. The brewery collaborates with the Boston Athletics Association to make the beer every year.
Sam Adams claims, “This gose style ale contains light cereal notes from malted and unmalted wheat with a touch of peppery spice. Soft wheat and citrus character are contrasted with hints of salt and coriander and it finishes clean with soft fruit and crisp citrus notes. With a lighter body and lower alcohol level (4.5% ABV), this beer is fitting for both runners and race fans alike. ”
To me, the beer tastes bready with a clear saltiness to it. It’s comparable to the Japanese beer Kirin in my eyes. I don’t really get much of the citrusy flavor, and I don’t think it’s as light as they claim. That’s probably because it includes carbs that are actually useful for a carbo-load.
All in all, it’s a good beer and an even better excuse to drink the night before a big race to calm those nerves.