Now, maybe this article has been overlooking the obvious, bike riding leads to thirstiness, which needs quenching, and what better beverage to do that than beer?
“For me, beer is the ultimate electrolyte replenishment system. It is the perfect thing to charge the battery after a great ride,” Phillips says.
“After I am done with a beautiful mountain bike ride through the cottonwoods, nothing really sounds better than a craft beer,” Talley adds. “I guess it is my reward for a hard ride.”
Signorino says, “While any number of beverages could relieve a parched throat, beer is an excellent choice.”
OK, no need to be labor that assessment, but Phillips, perhaps, sums up the exquisite pairing of bikes and beers best:
“I see a lot of bikes parked in front of the brewery. I think that perhaps bikes may be for independent thinkers, just like craft beer. That this is one thing that is cool about bikes — they mean different things to different riders,” he says. “I guess this isn’t too different from beer.”
Singletrack Copper Ale clone
(5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)
OG = 1.052 FG = 1.012
IBU = 32 SRM = 13 ABV = 5.2%
“It is a medium-bodied ale, similar to an English-Style Pale Ale. A small amount of toasted rye is added to the malt in the mash tun, adding a dry, somewhat nutty flavor to the beer.”—Jeff Brown
Ingredients
8.75 lb. (4.0 kg) 2-row domestic pale malt
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) British crystal malt (50–60 °L)
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) Briess Carapils® malt
0.75 lb. (0.34 kg) flaked rye
0.50 tsp. Irish moss (15 mins)
3.1 AAU Nugget hops (90 mins) (0.25 oz./7.1 g of 12.5% alpha acids)
4.5 AAU Tettnang hops (30 mins) (1.0 oz./28 g of 4.5% alpha acids)
5.6 AAU Tettnang hops (5 mins) (1.25 oz./35 g of 4.5% alpha acids)
American ale yeast (such as Wyeast 1056 (American Ale), White Labs WLP001 (California Ale) or Fermentis Safale US-05 yeast
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Mill the pale, crystal and dextrin (Carapils) malt together, keep the rye separate. Mix the milled grains with 3.4 gallons (13 L) of 168 °F (76 °C) water treated with 1 teaspoon of gypsum. Mix the rye flakes into the top quarter of the mash to hydrate. Let mash rest, at 156 °F (69 °C), half an hour, or until starch conversion is complete. Recirculate until wort is clear then sparge to kettle with 4.5 gallons (17 L) of 170 °F (77 °C) sparge water. Collect 6.0 gallons (23 L) of wort, boil for 90 minutes and hop at times indicated in ingredient list. Chill and aerate wort in the fermenter and pitch a healthy slurry of American Ale yeast. (Note: If you can get 10 to 12 oz. of fresh yeast slurry from your local brewery or brewpub, fermentation will be quicker.) Ferment in primary at 70–73 °F (21–23 °C) and condition in secondary for 2 weeks at 32 to 38 °F (0.0–3.3 °C).
Singletrack Copper Ale clone
(5 gallons/19 L, extract with grains)
OG = 1.052 FG = 1.012
IBU = 32 SRM = 13 ABV = 5.2%
Ingredients
0.75 lb. (0.34 kg) 2-row pale malt
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) British crystal malt (50–60 °L)
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) Briess Carapils® malt
0.75 lb. (0.34 kg) flaked rye
1 lb. 14 oz. (0.85 kg) Briess Light dried malt extract
3.3 lb. (1.5 kg) Briess Light liquid malt extract (late addition)
0.50 tsp. Irish moss (15 mins)
3.1 AAU Nugget hops (90 mins) (0.25 oz./7.1 g of 12.5% alpha acids)
4.5 AAU Tettnang hops (30 mins) (1.0 oz./28 g of 4.5% alpha acids)
5.6 AAU Tettnang hops (5 mins) (1.25 oz./35 g of 4.5% alpha acids)
American ale yeast (such as Wyeast 1056 (American Ale), White Labs WLP001 (California Ale) or Fermentis Safale US-05 yeast
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Steep crushed malts and rye flakes in 1.0 gallon (3.8 L) of water, Steep for 30 minutes at 156 °F (69 °C). Add water and dried malt extract to make 3.0 gallons (11 L) and bring to a boil. Boil for 60 minutes, adding hops and Irish moss at times indicated. Stir in liquid malt extract during final 15 minutes of the boil. Cool wort and transfer to fermenter. Add water to make 5.0 gallons (19 L), aerate wort and pitch yeast. Ferment in primary at 70 to 73 °F (21–23 °C) and condition in secondary for 2 weeks at 32 to 38 °F (0.0–3.3 °C).
Squatters Full Suspension clone
(5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)
OG = 1.044 FG = 1.013
IBU = 42 SRM = 11 ABV = 4.1%
“My only real direction was I wanted big hop presence. At 4% ABV, the bitterness is not over the top which makes it super drinkable. I guess you could call it a session pale ale.”—Jennifer Talley
Ingredients
3.5 lb. (1.6 kg) Maris Otter pale ale malt
3.5 lb. (1.6 kg) 2-row pale malt
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) Munich malt (10 °L)
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) Carapils malt
6.0 oz. (0.17 kg) Simpsons crystal malt (50–60 °L)
2.4 AAU CTZ (Columbus,Tomahawk or Zeus) hops (50 mins) (0.15 oz./4.3 g of 16% alpha acids)
5.1 AAU CTZ hops (30 mins) (0.32 oz./9.1 g of 16% alpha acids)
6.6 AAU CTZ hops (15 mins) (0.41 oz./11 g of 16% alpha acids)
8.5 AAU CTZ hops (5 mins) (0.53 oz./15 g of 16% alpha acids)
0.44 oz (12.5 g) CTZ hops (dry hop) ale yeast (your choice)
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Mash at 152 °F (67 °C). Boil for 60 minutes. Ferment at 68 °F (20 °C).
Squatters Full Suspension clone
(5 gallons/19 L, extract with grains)
OG = 1.044 FG = 1.013
IBU = 42 SRM = 10 ABV = 4.0%
Ingredients
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) Munich malt (10 °L)
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) Carapils malt
6.0 oz. (0.17 kg) Simpsons crystal malt (50–60 °L)
1 lb. 5 oz. (0.60 kg) Muntons Light dried malt extract
3.3 lb. (1.5 kg) Muntons Light liquid malt extract (late addition)
2.4 AAU CTZ (Columbus,Tomahawk or Zeus) hops (50 mins) (0.15 oz./4.3 g of 16% alpha acids)
5.1 AAU CTZ hops (30 mins) (0.32 oz./9.1 g of 16% alpha acids)
6.6 AAU CTZ hops (15 mins) (0.41 oz./11 g of 16% alpha acids)
8.5 AAU CTZ hops (5 mins) (0.53 oz./15 g of 16% alpha acids)
0.44 oz (12.5 g) CTZ hops (dry hop) ale yeast (your choice)
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Steep crushed grains at 152 °F (67 °C) in 3.0 qt. (2.8 L) of water for 45 minutes. Add water to make 3.0 gallons (11 L), add dried malt extract and bring to a boil. Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding hops at times indicated. Stir in liquid malt extract during final 15 minutes of the boil. Cool wort and transfer to fermenter. Top up to 5.0 gallons (19 L) with cool water, aerate and pitch yeast. Ferment at 68 °F (20 °C).
Fat Tire Amber Ale clone
(5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)
OG = 1.050 FG = 1.013
IBU = 20 SRM = 14 ABV = 4.8%
“People get biscuity, bread-like flavors off the malts and there’s just enough hops to linger on the palate and set you up nicely for that next sip.”—Bryan Simpson
Ingredients
8 lb. 10 oz. (3.9 kg) 2-row pale malt
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) Munich malt
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) Carapils malt
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) crystal malt (20° L)
6.0 oz. (170 g) biscuit malt
1.0 oz. (28 g) chocolate malt
4 AAU Willamette hops (90 mins) (0.80 oz./22 g at 5% alpha acid)
2 AAU Fuggle hops (20 mins) (0.40 oz./11 g at 5% alpha acid)
2 AAU Fuggle pellet hops (0 mins) (0.40 oz./11 g at 5% alpha acid)
1 tsp. Irish moss (15 mins)
Wyeast 1272 (American Ale II) or White Labs WLP051 (California Ale V) yeast (1.25 qts./~1.25 L yeast starter)
0.75 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Mash at 154 °F (68 ºC) for 45 minutes. Sparge with hot water of 170 °F (77 ºC) or higher to collect 6.0 gallons (23 L) of wort. Add 0.5 gallons (1.9 L) of water and boil for 90 minutes, adding hops at times indicated in ingredient list. Ferment at 68 °F (20 °C) until complete (usually 7–10 days).
Fat Tire Amber Ale clone
(5 gallons/19 L, extract with grains)
OG = 1.050 FG = 1.013
IBU = 20 SRM = 14 ABV = 4.8%
Ingredients
2 lb. 3 oz. (1.0 kg) Coopers Light dried malt extract
3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) Coopers Light liquid malt extract (late addition)
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) Munich malt
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) Carapils malt
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) crystal malt (20° L)
6.0 oz. (170 g) biscuit malt
1.0 oz. (28 g) chocolate malt
4.3 AAU Willamette hops (60 mins) (0.80 oz./22 g at 5% alpha acids)
2 AAU Fuggle hops (20 mins) (0.40 oz./11 g at 5% alpha acids)
2 AAU Fuggle hops (0 mins) (0.40 oz./11 g at 5% alpha acids)
1 tsp. Irish moss (15 mins)
Wyeast 1272 (American Ale II) or White Labs WLP051 (California Ale V) yeast (1.25 qts./~1.25 L yeast starter)
0.75 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Place crushed malts in a nylon steeping bag and steep in 3.0 qts. (2.8 L) of water at 154 ºF (68 °C) for 30 minutes. Rinse grains with 1.5 qts. (~1.5 L) of water at 170 °F (77 °C). Add water to make 3.0 gallons (11 L), stir in dried malt extract and bring to a boil. Boil for 60 minutes, adding hops at times indicated in ingredient list. Add the liquid malt extract and Irish moss with 15 minutes left in the boil. Cool brewpot in sink, with the lid on, until the side of the brewpot no longer feels warm. Transfer wort to fermenter and top up to 5.0 gallons (19 L) with cool water. Aerate wort and pitch yeast. Ferment at 68 °F (20 °C) until complete, then transfer to secondary, or rack into bottles or keg with corn sugar. (The low amount of priming sugar is meant to mimic the low carbonation level of Fat Tire.) Lay the beer down for at least a few weeks to mellow and mature for best results.
Slipstream Cream Ale clone
(5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)
OG = 1.044 FG = 1.011
IBU = 16 SRM = 14 ABV = 4.3%
“A cream ale in British Columbia is a different animal. If we are going to be honest about it, it is a cross between a mild and brown ale. Really big nutty and caramel flavors, in a medium-bodied beer.”—Matt Phillips
Ingredients
8.75 lb. (4.0 kg) 2-row pale malt
0.33 lb. (0.15 kg) crystal malt (60 °L)
2.0 oz. (57 g) chocolate malt
3.8 AAU Magnum hops (60 mins) (0.27 oz./7.6 g of 14% alpha acids)
1.4 AAU Cascade hops (10 mins) (0.27 oz./7.6 g of 5% alpha acids)
London ale yeast (such as Wyeast 1968 (London ESB), White Labs WLP002 (British Ale) or Fermentis Safale S-04 yeast)
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Mash at 154 °F (68 °C) for an hour, run off and boil for 60 minutes, addiing hops at times indicated in the ingredient list. Ferrment at 68 °F (20 °C) with a London ale type yeast.
Slipstream Cream Ale clone
(5 gallons/19 L, extract with grains)
OG = 1.044 FG = 1.011
IBU = 16 SRM = 15 ABV = 4.3%
Ingredients
1.5 lb. (0.68 kg) 2-row pale malt
0.33 lb. (0.15 kg) crystal malt (60 °L)
2.0 oz. (57 g) chocolate malt
1.5 lb. (0.68 kg) Muntons Light dried malt extract
3.3 lb. (1.5 kg) Muntons Light liquid malt extract (late addition)
3.8 AAU Magnum hops (60 mins) (0.27 oz./7.6 g of 14% alpha acids)
1.4 AAU Cascade hops (10 mins) (0.27 oz./7.6 g of 5% alpha acids)
London ale yeast (such as Wyeast 1968 (London ESB), White Labs WLP002 (British Ale) or Fermentis Safale S-04 yeast)
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Steep crushed grains at 154 °F (68 °C) in 3.0 qt. (2.8 L) of water for 45 minutes. Add water to make 3.0 gallons (11 L), add dried malt extract and bring to a boil. Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding hops at times indicated. Stir in liquid malt extract during final 15 minutes of the boil. Cool wort and transfer to fermenter. Top up to 5.0 gallons (19 L) with cool water, aerate and pitch yeast. Ferment at 68 °F (20 °C).
Blurry Bike IPA clone
(5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)
OG = 1.058 FG = 1.015
IBU = 80+ SRM = 7 ABV = 5.6%
“Ride your bike to the local homebrew shop — it won’t turn out the same otherwise!”—Angelo Signorino
Ingredients
11 lb. 10 oz. (5.3 kg) Muntons 2-row malt
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) Briess crystal malt (20 °L)
0.50 oz. (14 g) Columbus hops (FWH)
21 AAU Columbus hops (45 mins) (1.5 oz./43 g of 14% alpha acids)
28 AAU Columbus hops (20 mins) (2.0 oz./57 g of 14% alpha acids)
2.0 oz. (57 g) Columbus hops (0 mins)
2.0 oz. (57 g) Columbus hops (dry hop)
British ale yeast (such as White Labs WLP005 (British Ale) yeast
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Infusion mash at 150 °F (66 °C) for 1 hour. Add first wort hops (FWH) during wort collection. Boil wort for 1 hour, adding remaining hops at times indicated. Ferment cooler than usual (lower 60s °F, 15–17 °C), but pitch with a healthy starter of British ale yeast (preferably procured from your local brewery, via bicycle). Dry hop (in the secondary fermenter) with a good couple ounces more of Columbus hops. Obviously, drink it up, make more, repeat . . .
Blurry Bike IPA clone
(5 gallons/19 L, extract with grains)
OG = 1.058 FG = 1.015
IBU = 80+ SRM = 8 ABV = 5.6%
Ingredients
1.5 lb. (0.68 kg) Muntons 2-row malt
0.50 lb. (0.23 kg) Briess crystal malt (20 °L)
3.0 lb. (1.4 kg) Briess Light dried malt extract
3.3 lb. (1.5 kg) Briess Light liquid malt extract (late addition)
0.50 oz. (14 g) Columbus hops (FWH)
21 AAU Columbus hops (45 mins) (1.5 oz./43 g of 14% alpha acids)
28 AAU Columbus hops (20 mins) (2.0 oz./57 g of 14% alpha acids)
2.0 oz. (57 g) Columbus hops (0 mins)
2.0 oz. (57 g) Columbus hops (dry hop)
British ale yeast (such as White Labs WLP005 (British Ale) yeast
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Steep crushed grains at 150 °F (66 °C) in 3.0 qt. (2.8 L) of water for 45 minutes. Add water to make 3.0 gallons (11 L), add dried malt extract and first wort hops and bring to a boil. Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding remaining hops at times indicated. Stir in liquid malt extract during final 15 minutes of the boil. Cool wort and transfer to fermenter. Top up to 5.0 gallons (19 L) with cool water, aerate and pitch yeast. Ferment at 68 °F (20 °C).
Pike Tandem Ale clone
(5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)
OG = 1.066 FG = 1.010
IBU = 25 SRM = 28 ABV = 7.2%
“I’d recommend about 6 or 7 coriander seeds be crushed and added for the last minute of boil. Although this may seem like a miniscule amount, a touch of coriander is all that is desired.” —Drew Cluley, head brewer
Ingredients
6.5 lb. (3.0 kg) American 2-row malt
3.0 lb. (1.4 kg) British pale malt
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) wheat malt
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) American Munich malt
1.2 lb. (0.54 kg) crystal malt (70–80 °L)
4.0 oz. (113 g) roasted barley
8.0 oz. (227 g) cane sugar (20 mins)
4.5 AAU Northern Brewer hops (75 mins) (0.5 oz./14 g of 9% alpha acids)
2.3 AAU Mt Hood hops (30 mins) (0.5 oz./14 g of 4.5% alpha acids)
2.3 AAU Mt Hood hops (15 mins) (0.5 oz./14 g of 4.5% alpha acids)
White Labs WLP530 (Trappist Ale) yeast
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Mash at 152 °F (67 °C) for 1 hour. Boil for 90 minutes, adding hops at times indicated. Pitch with a Belgian
Trappist Yeast. At Pike we use White Labs WLP530. We control the fermentation pitching at 72 °F (22 °C) and not allowing the beer to get above 74 °F (23 °C). High temperature fermentation will produce a more phenolic Belgian style beer.
Pike Tandem Ale clone
(5 gallons/19 L, partial mash)
OG = 1.066 FG = 1.010
IBU = 25 SRM = 31 ABV = 7.2%
Ingredients
1.0 lb. (0.45 kg) American Munich malt
1.2 lb. (0.54 kg) crystal malt (70–80 °L)
4.0 oz. (113 g) roasted barley
2.75 lb. (1.3 kg) Muntons Light dried malt extract
4.0 lb. (1.8 kg) Muntons Light liquid malt extract (late addition)
8.0 oz. (227 g) cane sugar (20 mins)
4.5 AAU Northern Brewer hops (75 mins) (0.5 oz./14 g of 9% alpha acids)
2.3 AAU Mt Hood hops (30 mins) (0.5 oz./14 g of 4.5% alpha acids)
2.3 AAU Mt Hood hops (15 mins) (0.5 oz./14 g of 4.5% alpha acids)
White Labs WLP530 (Trappist Ale) yeast
1 cup corn sugar (for priming)
Step by Step
Steep crushed grains at 152 °F (67 °C) in 3.0 qt. (2.8 L) of water for 45 minutes. Add water to make 3.0 gallons (11 L), add dried malt extract and bring to a boil. Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding hops and sugar at times indicated. Stir in liquid malt extract during final 15 minutes of the boil. Cool wort and transfer to fermenter. Top up to 5.0 gallons (19 L), aerate and pitch yeast. Ferment at 72 °F (22 °C).