All About Beer Magazine - Volume 35, Issue 3
May 24, 2014 By

SIDEBAR: BEERS IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

For outdoor enthusiasts, the rapid pace at which breweries have adopted cans has been a welcome change. Finally, our favorite styles and brands can accompany us into the backcountry. Cans are lighter than bottles, an important factor when calculating the weight of your pack. Besides that, those who fancy themselves a wilderness chef might bring along something like Baxter Brewing’s Stowaway IPA to whip up a tasty risotto with spring onion, garlic powder and grated Parmesan. But even if you’d rather let someone else do the cooking—like the staff at one of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s huts in the White Mountains—a cool can of beer makes for a welcome reward after a challenging day on the trail. There are a few things to remember before stocking up on cans of Blue Mountain’s Full Nelson Pale Ale or Moat Mountain’s Czech Pils. First, food and water should always be the priority. Second, always check park regulations before stopping at a liquor store on your way out of town. Alcohol consumption rules vary from state to state. Third, drink responsibly and respect your fellow campers. Finally, leave no trace. Nature is a much nicer place when there’s no sign of the last group who enjoyed it.

—Ben Keene

This story appears in the July issue of All About Beer MagazineClick here for a free trial.

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