Back in the days when dinosaurs ruled the earth(led Zepplin,Deep Purple,Skynyrd). I used to sit around wit my buds watch football and drink mega amounts of beer. Seeing as the did not have Bud Light back then ,my waistline quickly grew. Then in 1985 I purchased my first bike(who knew then it would turn into the wallet sucking vacuum) Anyways ,around 88 I decided to give up smoking and drinking and devote my time to riding my bike(up to 1995 I was actually on a racing team,Essex Kent Off Road Cycling Team). It was around this time that microbreweries sprung up big time(at least in the mid west)and for some reason,stopping at the local brewery after a ride became the norm. Maybe because there was a brewery on the way to most of the trails. So I became a micro beer snob. Maybe it was because at the breweries you were free to talk about your bike and the trails instead of the football game or wet t shirt contests most of the pubs were offering at the time. I can always remember sitting around drinking one or two pints,no body ever seemed to get sloshed. In 97 I did a road ride called Ride The Rockies in Colorado. Fat Tire Ale was one of the major sponsors. And every overnight town we were in,the breweries seem to draw the most cyclists. There are two really good books by Todd Mercer published by Velo Press Bike & brew America: Rocky Mountain Region and:Midwest region ,if you want to learn more of the bike &brew culture. Dirt Rag has a regular feature called Beer Me. A couple years back Deb got me a trip to Jamaica for Christmas. I realized that lying on the beach with a boat drink is just as much fun as mountain biking. Seeing the new Cheese Burger in Paradise opening in Huntersville has me all excited. Post ride frozen boat drinks and island ale

Here's the proper way to do Beer and Mtn biking.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

They sell Wolaver's Stout at Total Wine (or whatever it is in Birkdale) btw.  Remember the stuff we had at Summit Coffee House after that night ride Mark?  It's bottled but still just as tasty.  I was surprised considering how much worse Guinness tastes in a "normal" bottle without the CO2.

Quote:



There are 2 different types of Guiness in bottles.  from what I understand there is the "Stout" and Guiness "Draft"... the cans and Tall neck bottles have the nitrogen cartridge. the short  neck "Stout" does not and is NOT supposed to be the same as a draft... hence the 2 different bottleing methods....

I agree the "Stout" short necks are not all that tasty but how could you say "...how much WORSE Guinness tastes..."  that is insuating that Guiness started out tasting bad.  

Sacralidge!!!

Guinness,although very tasty is has kinda of a light texture compared to most stouts. My favorites,if your going for brews in a bottle compared to draft(although nothing really comes close to draft or nitrogen)is Bell's Expedition Stout . Bell's use to com out with the 10 stouts of November. But their usual line up includes Cherry Stout ,Double Cream Stout ,Java Stout ,and Kalamazoo Stout . I just got an e-mail from Larry Bell telling me that they now have a distribution deal with Tryon Distributing in North Carolina. I tried at total wine in Huntersville,but they tell me they never heard of it. But they have heard of Fat Tire, Armatures..... . These are some examples of some great tasting ales. And there are more,these are my personal choices. Bell's also makes a great spring wheat Oberon Ale . They also sponsor one of the best Mountain Bike Race Teams in Michigan. So they are very biker friendly. They also have a cool jersey for those of you with the figures(both cash and body ). Look on (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links). There was also a taproom that we used to go to after our rides called Dragonmead. They boasted 35 handmade beers. They had a milkshake stout that was fairly alright. My favorite was Dragon Daze,a hemp brew suitable for all hippie seasons. Popular place with bikers because of the no smoking policy. They did not serve food,but you could bring your own,perfect for post and pre race meals. Now give me some suggestions for places around the area

PDLJUNKE wrote on 01/22/07 at 2:26am:


Good stuff.... I believe I first got it at Lowes Food stores in Harrisburg.

Hotel Charlotte is also a great spot for strange beer and awesome food.  Spend enough time there and you can earn your own beer mug!  Pleased to report I have two hanging in there somewhere.

ahhhhh, I love beer. mtbing too! 

most of the places on Montford have patios and are good for a post-ride beer. you can keep an eye on your bike.

Hippy, I saw Bells (not sure which brew) on tap at the Brixx on East Blvd. also, you may want to check at Brawley's Beverage on Park Rd.

Quote:

A little slim right now, but I have 4 Gaelic Ales and two Dos Equis (it was chili nite on Thursday)...The Highland beers are hard to beat...imported - from Asheville!

It 's about time for that Honey Nut Brown Ale to be released by Red Hook...Now that's a fine late winter brew...

mmmmmm beeeeeer. I like the occasional brew. Olympia is my favorite, 'cause "It's the Water".

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

BTW: the resemblance of the horseshoe to that of a toilet seat is no coincidence. Drink a 12 of Olympia and you'll be hanging on the throne all night. "Good Luck"