{"id":39040,"date":"2014-10-09T14:03:56","date_gmt":"2014-10-09T20:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.craftbeer.com\/?p=39040"},"modified":"2023-04-14T09:53:49","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T15:53:49","slug":"5-canned-beer-hiking-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.craftbeer.com\/craft-beer-muses\/5-canned-beer-hiking-destinations","title":{"rendered":"5 Canned Beer and Hiking Destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Craft beer and nature are a seemingly obvious pairing. Maybe it\u2019s the love of fresh quality ingredients that connects beer lovers to the outdoors. Or maybe it\u2019s our active lifestyles that pull us out of our homes and into the woods\u2014and then to the local taproom.<\/p>\n

Either way, the craft beer community is full of adventure-loving people who enjoy the simplicity of exploring our natural surroundings and discovering amazing new places. The act of hiking through areas largely untouched by civilization has an undeniable attraction for beer lovers young and old. A great way to add to this experience is to make it a beer hike.<\/p>\n

Beer hiking is an active form of beer travel that uses beer as either the destination or as a means of celebration. Hiking near a source of local beer provides a great way to end a day trip and reflect on the journey, while a sipping a few canned beers you brought along is a great way to enjoy the view from the top. The feeling of reaching a tough summit is only exceeded by knowing you will celebrate the hike with great craft beer.<\/p>\n

It is important to keep in mind that a beer hike is not a rigorous drinking session. Your body processes alcohol differently when you are constantly exerting energy, and lower-ABV beers are preferable to boozier brews. You should always bring a water pack if you plan on beer hiking.<\/p>\n

Another factor is waste. You don\u2019t always have to limit yourself to cans, as stainless steel growlers are a great size to share between two to four people, but glass shouldn’t ever be brought on the trail. Remember to always pack out what you pack in.<\/p>\n

If beer hiking sounds like your kind of activity, all you need to do is pick a location to explore and a beer or brewery to pair it with.<\/p>\n

5 Great Beer Hiking Destinations<\/h2>\n

Flagstaff, Arizona<\/h3>\n
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Flagstaff often plays second fiddle to its southern neighbor, Sedona, when it comes to beautiful hikes. While both cities boast great positions in the heart of the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff wins out easily when you are looking to hike near local beer.<\/p>\n

The city grew up as a logging, ranching and railroading town. However, it has evolved into a gorgeous mountain getaway for those tired of the concrete jungle. The town is perched on a mountain 7,000 feet above sea level and is flanked by volcanoes.<\/p>\n

Flagstaff boasts seven breweries, four within a three block radius of each other. The original Flagstaff Brewery started in 1994 and has a local vibe in a building that emanates lumber and live music. Recent additions Mother Road Brewing<\/a>, Wanderlust Brewing Co.<\/a> and Historic Brewing Co.<\/a> have added some new blood to the beer scene that has helped round out the depth of draught offerings.<\/p>\n

Local Canned Beer<\/strong><\/p>\n