Beer is one of the common threads that unites many of us mountain bikers. And like mountain biking, beer is experiencing an explosion in the supply and creativity of high quality product. There are now more craft brewers (2500+) in the US than in any point in our history. Part of the good news is many of these brewers do a lot for the local communities and support mountain bike organizations and events.

But how does one navigate through the roof-high racks of many beer shops? We have a few words of advice and we've recruited a couple experts to help guide you through your journey.

What's your favorite beer and where do you live? What beer companies are active in your cycling community? Let us know in the comments below or join the discussion on the Mtbr Beer Forum!

If you want to jump right in our Best Lists:

Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Mountain Biker
Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Noob
Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Hardcore Enthusiast Fan (Seasonal Beers, No One-Offs)
Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Hophead
Francis Cebedo's Pliny Killer IPA Guide
Peter Tsang's Beer Guide

Tips:

Understand beer styles and discover the styles that you prefer. https://www.craftbeer.com/style-finder

Find your Top 5 beers. Having a preference will allow you to seek advice and get recommendations that fit you.

Beer is cheap so try a lot of it. Try samplers for smaller portions and share with your friends.

Always drink from a glass. Allow the beer to breathe and allow yourself to smell it as you drink it.

Pay attention to 'gateway' beers and learn to appreciate them first before going for the rare stuff. For example, learn to like Chimay first before you seek out the Rocheforts and Westvleteren beers of Belgium. And if you don't like Lagunitas IPA, you're probably not going to like Pliny or all the famous double and triple IPAs.

Be patient and open minded. It may take a while before you develop the taste for the stronger styles of beer. Keep trying beers and go for lighter beers in warm weather and heavier, darker beers in the winter.

Don't be a douche. Let's keep beer fun, approachable and affordable.



Mtbr giving advice to The Lung. Turns out Ned Overend is a hophead.

Josh Martino: Among Mtbr's hundreds of beer experts, there is one man that stands above the rest. He is the Beer Sensei, as his understanding is deep and wide. He is all-knowing even though he doesn't know it yet. His knowledge comes from his upbringing in San Diego, CA and Bend, OR and he seems to spend every waking moment tasting, buying, trading, and brewing beer.

Peter Tsang: Peter, like the rest of us are young Padawans (learners). But, he is open-minded, honest and down to earth. He can explain why a beer is good in the simplest terms and he can turn an AA meeting into a tasting session.

Next: Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Mountain Biker »



Editor's Note: The next four beer guides - Top 5 Beers for the Mountain Biker, Noob, Hardcore Enthusiast Fan, and Hophead are written by Josh Martino. Among Mtbr's hundreds of beer experts, there is one man that stands above the rest. He is the Beer Sensei, as his understanding is deep and wide. He is all-knowing even though he doesn't know it yet. His knowledge comes from his upbringing in San Diego, CA and Bend, OR and he seems to spend every waking moment tasting, buying, trading, and brewing beer.

Mountain bikers tend to appreciate lighter bodied beers with full flavors, and they often reach for brews on the hoppy side. Below are some options that pair well with a long day in the saddle.

New Belgium Shift

A hoppy lager with a clean taste and a light body featuring fruity, citrusy hops at 5% ABV. New Belgium Shift is brewed in Fort Collins, CO and comes in 16-ounce cans which are easily packable, so you can take your Shift with you into the backcountry without the weight penalty of glass bottles. www.newbelgium.com

Ballast Point Sculpin

Another beer recently available in 12 oz. cans, Ballast Point Sculpin is a big, bold American IPA weighing in at 7% ABV. It's brewed in San Diego, CA and features strong flavors of citrus and tropical fruit from the hops and a bright, bitter finish characteristic of San Diego IPAs. www.ballastpoint.com

Brooklyn Summer Ale

A light bodied English pale ale for those who want a clean taste without a bitter profile. Brewed in Brooklyn, NY, Summer Ale features a sweet malt backbone and a touch of dry-hops which impart a floral, fruity aroma. It's 5% ABV and also comes in 12 oz. cans. brooklynbrewery.com

Revolution Eugene

An American porter available in 12 oz. cans, Eugene is brewed by Revolution brewing in Chicago, IL. A perfect pair for those colder winter rides, Eugene clocks in at 6.8% and is a rich, robust porter showcasing toasted grain, chocolate malt and caramel flavors. revbrew.com

Deschutes Chainbreaker

A hybrid concoction straddling a Belgian Witbier and an IPA, Deschutes Chainbreaker is brewed in Bend, OR. It's also the only non-canned beer on this list. It showcases a crisp taste of orange, grapefruit, coriander and piney hops at 5.6% ABV which won't knock you out, and makes for great post-ride refreshment. www.deschutesbrewery.com

Next: Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Noob »



Newbie craft beer drinkers like variety, because they're not quite sure which style they like best. Below is a diverse list of beers that represent their respective styles well.

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier

The "standard" for German wheat beers, Weihenstephaner's Hefeweissbier is available year-round in the US and clocks in at 5.4% ABV. It's brewed at the Weihenstephan Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Bavaria, Germany. This beer showcases sweet wheat malt, mild citrus from the hops and strong flavors of banana and clove from the yeast esters. It's an iconic beer enjoyed by new craft beer drinkers and seasoned veterans alike. weihenstephaner.de

Victory Prima Pils

Brewed in Downington, PA, Victory Prima Pils is a great example of an American take on a classic European style. At 5.3% ABV, Prima features a clean toasted malt backbone and a floral, herbal hop presence. A hoppy German pils that is refreshing and drinkable, Prima is a nice gateway between adjunct lagers and IPAs. www.victorybeer.com

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald

A tremendous American Porter. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, brewed in Cleveland, OH, comes in at 5.8% ABV and tastes of bittersweet chocolate, mild coffee, and a rich malt backbone. Mildly hopped, this is a great dark beer for those who have traditionally enjoyed beers like Guinness. www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Petrus Pale Ale

A widely-available sour beer from northern Belgium. Appealing to wine and beer drinkers alike, Petrus is a traditional Belgian sour beer aged in oak barrels. At 7.3% and featuring bright citrus, tart green apples, white wine and a dry vinegar finish, this beer is a solid welcome to the quickly-growing world of sours. www.globalbeer.com

Unibroue La Fin Du Monde

Even at 9% ABV, La Fin Du Monde is a surprisingly drinkable Belgian Tripel produced by Unibroue in Quebec, Canada. Powerful flavors of spicy fruit, candied malt and Belgian esters (banana, clove, spice) all work in tandem to make a fantastic beer to enjoy after dinner. www.unibroue.com

Next: Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Hardcore Enthusiast Fan »



Hardcore enthusiasts like bigger beers, often preferring something with higher ABV or barrel-aged for added complexity. Seasonal releases and rarity play into the game, and while the beers below may be hard to find, they are definitely worth the hunt.

Russian River Pliny the Younger

A world-class Imperial IPA whose reputation is only exceeded by its taste, this beer is released once a year (usually early Feb.) by Russian River brewery in Santa Rosa, CA. Since it's draft-only, you may be lucky enough to try it at your local brewery when it's released, but your best bet is to make the pilgrimage and stand in line to try it at the brewery itself. 11% ABV is completely hidden in this beer, which is a deliciously dangerous mix of smooth, substantial malt and a pine, grapefruit and tropical fruit hops. Perfectly balanced and rarely matched, Younger sets the standard for triple IPAs. (Notable alternatives: Hill Farmstead Ephraim, Boneyard Notorious, Alpine Exponential Hoppiness or Three Floyds Permanent Funeral.) russianriverbrewing.com

Cantillon Fou Foune

The pinnacle of fruit Lambics, Fou Foune strikes a balance between sweet apricot jam, wild yeast funk, a spicy backbone and a dry, mouth-puckering sour finish. Brewed by Brasserie Cantillon in Brussels, Belgium, Fou Foune is a seasonal beer that comes in at 5% ABV. What's surprising about this fantastic beer is that it's spontaneously fermented with wild yeast; after the brewing process is completed, the unfermented beer (wort) is left to rest in large, open-air cooling tanks (coolships) until environmental yeast and souring bacteria fall into the beer and begin the fermentation process. The fermenting beer is then left to rest in oak barrels for 2 years to age and develop a deliciously sour and funky profile before the brewers add 1,200 kgs of Bordeaux-grown Bergeron Apricots to the barrels. This beer is available at the Cantillon brewery and occasionally sees distribution in the United States, although supplies are extremely limited. (Notable alternatives: Anything Cantillon, Allagash Coolship series, Drie Fonteinen Oude Kriek or Upland Lambics.) www.cantillon.be

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout


Josh Martino is trying the sampler at Half Moon Bay Brewing, CA.

Currently available in multiple varieties (including regular, Coffee, Backyard Rye and Coconut Proprietor's Reserve), Goose Island's Bourbon County line of imperial stouts are part of the largest (and one of the oldest) barrel aging programs in the country. Based in Chicago, IL, Goose Island brews its Bourbon County Brand Stout (BCBS) at a whopping 14.5% ABV. Chocolate, vanilla, caramel, charred oak and rich bourbon flavor are imparted as this beer spends 8 to 12 months aging in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels. Imagine taking campfire-roasted s'mores and dunking the corner in a warm glass of bourbon - that's what it's like to drink this beer. The brewers at Goose Island like to experiment with the BCBS line, currently offering a version with coffee roasted from Chicago-local Intelligensia Coffee and one aged in Templeton Rye barrels with fresh mulberries, marionberries and boysenberries added. Their current most sought-after (and smallest batch) edition of BCBS is the Proprietor's Reserve which was also aged in Templeton Rye barrels with large amounts of toasted coconut added. BCBS and some of its variants will see national distribution, although supplies are limited and will sell out quickly. Older versions that are no longer produced (Rare, Cherry Rye or Vanilla) have become very desirable and are still drinking incredibly well. (Notable alternatives: The Bruery Black Tuesday, Alesmith Barrel Aged Speedway, Founders Kentucky Breakfast, Cigar City Hunaphu or Deschutes Abyss.) www.gooseisland.com

Westvleteren 12 (XII)

Often referred to as "the best beer in the world", Westvleteren 12 is a Belgian Quadrupel brewed by monks at the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus in northwest Belgium. Nicknamed "Westy 12," the 10.2% ABV beer is brewed in small batches and until recently was only available for purchase at the brewery itself (the beer came in wooden crates). Recent monastery renovations have pushed the monks to sell the beer in limited distribution around Belgium and it even made a one-time appearance in the United States courtesy of a partnership between the abbey and US-based distributor Shelton Brothers. Westy 12 features flavors of rich figs, raisins, dark cherries, a malty caramel backbone, brandy, rum and brown sugar. It's bottle-conditioned and ages very well, mellowing out the alcohol-heavy finish and blending all of the fruity characteristics. This is a very hard beer to find in the US, but it's still available via online vendors and shipped from Belgium. A definite "must-try" for any enthusiast who appreciates the complexities of strong Belgian dark ales steeped in history. (Notable alternatives: St. Bernadus Abt 12, Trappistes Rochefort 12, De Struise Pannepot, Boulevard The Sixth Glass or Ommegang Three Philosophers.) www.sintsixtus.be/eng/brouwerij.htm

Pelican Pub & Brewery Mother of All Storms

Nestled on the picturesque Oregon coast in the small town of Pacific City, Pelican Pub and Brewery produces one of the most sought-after beers in the country. Every year this brewery produces a limited batch of Mother of All Storms (MoAS), an English Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels and topping out at 14% ABV. MoAS is a multiple-award winner (available in bottles) that is delicious fresh or with a few years of age. It's a rich, complex gem with flavors of toasted malt, caramel, coffee, vanilla, tobacoo, spice and oak, showing a depth rarely matched in the arena of BA Barleywines. As an annual release, most of the bottles are sold directly at the pub, although some may see limited distribution throughout the Pacific Northwest. The annual release of MoAS is a great reason to go visit the rugged, beautiful Oregon coastline, one of the few places in the world where pristine beauty meets unparalleled beer. (Notable alternatives: Goose Island Bourbon County Barleywine, Firestone Walker Sucaba, Weyerbacher Insanity, Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine or Midnight Sun Arctic Devil.) www.yourlittlebeachtown.com/pelican

Next: Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Hophead »



Citrus. Pine. Dank. Bitter. These are all words that describe the hophead's favorite beers - Pale ales and IPAs. The below list showcases some of the best hoppy beers available.

The Alchemist Heady Topper

One of the highest-rated Double/Imperial IPAs on the planet with a reputation matched only by its taste, Heady Topper is the one beer that all hopheads must try. Brewed by The Alchemist Brewery in Waterbury, VT, Heady Topper is an 8% ABV Double IPA that drinks unbelievably well, showing a very restrained bitterness profile that is very contradictory to the hoppy beers of the last 10 years, many of which had the uncanny ability to destroy the drinker's palate. It tastes of rich oranges, tropical fruit, pineapple and pink grapefruit, finishing with a mild pine spice. With minimal malt presence and a focus on hop complexity, Heady is a dangerously drinkable beer that many people liken to "pure hop fruit juice." Heady is available in cans, unfiltered, with limited distribution in the Northeast. Remember to "Drink from the can!" alchemistbeer.com

Alpine Nelson

In an industry absolutely dominated by IPAs, Alpine Nelson is a beer that has very few rivals at the top. Brewed at a tiny brewpub in Alpine, CA (30 minutes east of San Diego), Nelson is a 7.1% ABV IPA featuring Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand and a malt backbone fortified by European Rye. It features a unique flavor of grapefruit rind, pineapple, earthy pine and crisp white wine with a light, yet distinct spiciness from the rye in the malt. It has a thin body and a bitter profile that doesn't linger, but instead leaves the tongue dry and searching for more. Nelson shares the spotlight with Alpine's other world-class IPA, Duet, which is a perfect execution of more traditional IPA flavors (sweet malt backbone with solid bitterness and a hop profile consisting of citrus, tropical fruit and piney resin). A handful of Alpine's beers including Nelson see very limited distribution in San Diego, so your best bet is to head directly to the brewery itself. www.alpinebeerco.com

Three Floyds Zombie Dust

The only single-hop beer on this list, Zombie Dust from Three Floyds Brewing in Munster, IN showcases Citra hops better than just about any other beer in production. Although labeled a Pale Ale, at 6.4% and 60 IBU Zombie Dust qualifies as an IPA and has the punch to prove it. It's a perfect example of when a brewery focuses most of their hopping effort on aroma. Zombie Dust features flavors of sweet toasted bread in the malt and a surprisingly powerful aroma of orange and pineapple from the Citra hops. It finishes with perfect carbonation and a solid bitter punch. Renowned for its refreshing flavor and drinkability, Zombie Dust absolutely dominates every other American Pale Ale out there and is available year-round with limited distribution in the Midwest. www.3floyds.com

Boneyard Hop Venom

Although they're a relatively young brewery from Bend, OR (a town with one of the highest breweries per capita), Boneyard Beer Company sets the new standard for West Coast Double IPAs. Hop Venom is their 8.9% ABV creation that has quickly become many a hophead's favorite beer. It features tremendous fruity notes of tangerine, orange zest, floral peach and pine, with a malt base that allows it to showcase huge flavors but remain unbelievably balanced. Hop Venom leads the new style of IPAs and Double IPAs by featuring a complexity that is not dominated by malt or bitterness, but instead focuses on hop aromas from late hop additions and dry hopping. With bright, bold flavors and an unmatched mouthfeel, Hop Venom is a must-try for any hophead. It's draft-only, so your best bet is to head to Bend or Portland, OR to try this beauty on tap. www.boneyardbeer.com

Hill Farmstead Abner

What do you get when you mix artisan well water, masterful brewing technique, impeccable hop additions and one of the most isolated breweries in the states? Hill Farmstead's Abner, of course! Hill Farmstead is a small production brewery and tasting room outside the rural, isolated town of Greensboro Bend, VT. It has a reputation of producing high quality, best-in-class beers on a very small scale, and with almost nonexistent distribution (available only in Vermont), the only way most people are able to try their beer is by visiting the brewery itself. Their most popular Double IPA, Abner, is a testament to the impeccable craft of Hill Farmstead. It's bursting with floral and fruity notes of mango, orange and grapefruit rind. The clean, simple malt background takes a backseat to the symphony of hops and the strong bitter finish. One of the most renowned aspects of this beer is the mouthfeel; it's creamy and full-bodied with perfect carbonation that is rarely found in the Double IPA category. This beer is worth making a pilgrimage to the brewery. www.hillfarmstead.com



Editor's Note: The Pliny Killer IPA Beer Guide is written by Mtbr founder Francis Cebedo. Francis believes that IPA will save America.

Mtbr is getting a reputation in the bike industry for knowing a little something about beer. And lo and behold, there seems to be good crossover between mountain biking and good beer. Since Mtbr is based in Northern California, we consider ourselves experts (and biased) in IPAs. But that's obviously because IPA is the best beer in the world and California makes the best IPA.

We have a beer here from Santa Rosa called the Russian River Pliny The Elder. It is one of the best and rarest beers around since it invented the style of floral and fruity IPAs and it's been rated best IPA in the country for a couple of years now. But the husband and wife owners refuse to raise production (and price) so it has become one of the most coveted beers in the country and on the West Coast.

So this first list of beers is something we call Pliny Killers. A Pliny Killer is a term we give a beer that could potentially be better than Pliny. It could serve as a replacement for the precious nectar when the green label with the red dot cannot be found on any shelf or with any secret handshake. But of course they all fail since no IPA is better than Pliny, but it is good to aspire and it is better than going dry.

Note that unlike its English ancestor, the India Pale Ale which was created to survive the boat trip to India, the American IPA is best drank fresh. A few days old, not a few months old is key so know where your IPA is coming from and when it was brewed. And keep it cold until the time you drink it.

Russian River Blind Pig, Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger

Blind Pig is the single IPA, Elder is the double and Younger is the triple at 11% alcohol content. All three are the best, but the rarest of the trio is the Younger. It is only available for two weeks in February and is never bottled, so the true fans from around the world travel far and wide and wait in line at the brewery for hours for the Younger. russianriverbrewing.com

Ballast Point Sculpin

This expensive IPA comes from the San Diego mafia and is one of the best in the category. The best part about it is it has great distribution and is available at many places year round. www.ballastpoint.com

Stone Brewing Enjoy By …

This is Stone's answer to Pliny with its high alcohol content, floral notes, and it tries to counter Pliny's unfair advantage of freshness. Pliny is so rare that it is usually consumed within a couple weeks of bottling. So Stone brewing puts a date on this beer label and it is distributed only at certain periods and is supposed to be consumed before the mentioned date. www.stonebrew.com

Bell's Hopslam


Mtbr holds frequent tastings to see how other beers compare to Pliny.
From Michigan, this beer is strong and balanced from start to finish. Using 6 different hops, it delivers with floral, grapefruit action and finishes with honey. It is good but don't get too hooked, as it is very rare and only available at the beginning of each year. www.bellsbeer.com

Three Floyds Dreadnaught IPA

An East Coast Imperial IPA = West Coast IPA = Colorado Pale Ale. In short, this Imperial IPA from Three Floyds has lots of flavor and is balanced and satisfying from start to finish. www.3floyds.com

Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA

Deschutes is the best 'bigger' brewery out there because of beer quality and what they do for the cycling community. But, they have always been lacking in the IPA department. This Fresh Squeezed IPA is a game changer for them, but it is hard to find. Hop Trip or Chasin' Freshies are good alternatives. www.deschutesbrewery.com

The Alchemist Heady Topper

This is a damn fine beer in a can. It is rare and it is expensive in the black market. It delivers from start to finish and proves that the east coast can make a fine IPA, even though they call it Imperial. alchemistbeer.com

Sante Adairius 831

This is from Santa Cruz and it is one of the best IPAs around. They bottle once in a while but you really have to ride the redwood forests, get a growler of this and hang out at the beach for the full experience. rusticales.com

Alpine Duet IPA

Again, don't get hooked as this is even more rare than Pliny. But everything Alpine makes is just outstanding and it will bring pure hoppiness to your heart. www.alpinebeerco.com

Lagunitas IPA, Bear Republic Racer 5, Stone IPA, Dales Pale Ale, Ninkasi Tricerahops, Firestone Double DPA, Avery IPA, Sierra Nevada Hoptimum

You're in a restaurant looking at the beers on tap. Or you're at the grocery staring at the six packs. Get any one of these and you're good. lagunitas.com; bearrepublic.com; www.stonebrew.com; www.oskarblues.com; www.ninkasibrewing.com; www.firestonebeer.com; www.sierranevada.com

Next: Peter Tsang's Beer Guide »



Editor's Note: This beer guide was written by Peter Tsang. Peter, like the rest of us are young Padawans (learners). But, he is open-minded, honest and down to earth. He can explain why a beer is good in the simplest terms and he can turn an AA meeting into a tasting session.

For the Mountain Biker

For the mtber, I tend to think about brews you either want to enjoy post-ride or mid-ride. Cyclists also like to support businesses that support them, so that's an important aspect. Anything from Deschutes year round brews are solid. Seasonal brews like Jubelale, are exceptional and are available in small format 12 oz. bottles. The company also supports mtb and the local community. They just helped raise $7500 for Central Oregon Trail Alliance.

Oskar Blues Dales Pale or Deviant Dales. Like Deschutes, another brewery that supports mtbers and regularly gives back to the community. Unlike Deschutes, they have offerings in cans, which make for great mid-ride refreshment options. Great for packing in and packing out.

Ballast Point Sculpin is now available in cans! Outside of Vermont's Alchemist Heady Topper, is arguably one of the best craft brew IPAs available in a can. B right citrus and tropical fruit notes make for refreshing and satisfying IPA.


Peter Drinking From a Salsa Cup.


Lagunitas and Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA!

Coors/PBR/Tecate...This may be a joke, but what if your favorite mtber only likes cheap beer? Ever have an ice cold version of one of these non-craft brew lagers handed to you on a hot day after a long ride, or even better, mid-ride, after a long climb? 'nuff said. A case of any of these beers are widely available at any supermarket and will supply ample refreshment for many rides.

For the Noobs

Brews for noobs can be tough. Nothing too wild, but if I were to introduce someone to beers, I think a variety of different, approachable styles is nice. You want to give 'em a taste of all the possibilities and leave them wanting more. How many people have had some IPA and said it was just bitter? Golden Ales such as Duvel, Unibroue La Fin Du Monde Saisons and wild ales such as Lost Abbey, Allagash, and Ommegang. Stouts/Porters such as Deschutes Black Butte, Ale Smith, milk stouts and German beer such as Berliner Weisse.

For the Hardcore Fan

The hardcore fan wants the best beer available from different regions. Also, what's hot. Sour beers, and barrel aged beers are all the rage, and anything rare is a bonus. If you have a membership for special releases available through select breweries, limited release bottles of rare brews are especially appreciated. Bruery beers like Black Tuesday, Cantillon, Westy XII and small brewers like Sara, Hill Farmstead, Prairie Artisan, and Crooked Stave.

For the Hopheads

Russian River Brewing Co. Pliny, Alchemist Heady Topper, Bell's Hop Slam, something regional. Growler of something fresh. Hand delivered and shared!


The Mtbr Beer Guide
Francis Cebedo's Pliny Killer IPA Guide »
Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Mountain Biker »
Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Noob »
Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Hardcore Enthusiast Fan (Seasonal Beers, No One-Offs) »
Josh Martino's Top 5 Beers for the Hophead »
Peter Tsang's Beer Guide »