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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY COMPANIESFITNESS Bloomberg Pursuits March 1, 2021Geoff Pedder runs 6 miles a day and regularly competes in
marathons and triathlons. After almost every event, he’s fol-
lowed the herd of worn-out athletes to the beer tent, where
thirsty runners have often faced a devil’s choice between a
watered-down lager and a boozy IPA. So he took his back-
ground in marketing and product development, paired it with
the biochemistry savvy of a friend, and started Zelus Beer Co.,
one of the first breweries dedicated to “performance beer.”
The idea of alcohol coinciding with an athlete’s regimen
might seem counterintuitive. And it certainly shouldn’t replace
water. But breweries have been incorporating electrolytes andeven buckwheat and bee pollen to ameliorate dehydrating
damage to the body. The market is still small—the Brewers
Association estimates that performance beer constituted 1%
of the craft beer market, which itself was 13% of the total mar-
ket—but brewers say there are signs of growth. Some appeal
to millennials who want to consume fewer calories and might
put down their hard seltzer for a light beer with flavor.
Pedder suggests any benefits ultimately may be beside the
point. Runners drink beer for the same reason most people
do: camaraderie. “The more you train,” he says, “the more you
feel like you deserve a reward.” Here are five worth sampling.A growing class of “hydrating” beers is taking
Michelob Ultra one step further. By Tony RehagenDrink to Your Health
ZELUS BEER CO.
WEEKENDER
This German-style
lager is 5.3% ABV
but crisp and
lightly hopped
with Hallertau to
accentuate the malty
flavor. It’s bolstered
with potassium,
sodium, and calcium
salts to help
recharge the body.HARPOON
BREWERY
REC. LEAGUE
Deceptively light and
hazy, this IPA—one
of the brand’s best-
performing labels—is
4% ABV and fortified
with protein-rich
buckwheat kasha,
antioxidant-packed
chia seeds, and
sea salt.AVERY BREWING
PACER IPA
This juicy, dry-
hopped IPA
doubles down on
wheat, oats, and
more exotic hops
from the Southern
Hemisphere
while weighing
in at 4.5% ABV,
100 calories, and
3.5 carbs.MISPILLION RIVER
BREWING
WAR POSSUM
The Delaware
brewery calls this
a “sports Berliner”
because it’s infused
with strawberry
lemonade-flavored
electrolytes. At 5%
ABV, it’s a tart and
sour, if not low-
alcohol, refresher.BOULEVARD
EASY SPORT
Dubbed a “Rally ale,”
this 99-calorie, 4.1%
ABV blonde from
the Kansas City,
Mo., brewery is plied
with electrolytes
during and after
fermentation.
Tangerine peel
provides a slightly
tart finish.Crunchy, peanut
buttery Kize’s cookies
have 10 grams of
protein and dark
chocolate chips with
no sugar added. $30
for a box of 10Biltong from Ayoba is
made from beef that’s
been air-dried for two
weeks to pack in 30%
more protein than
regular jerky. $24 for
an 8-oz. bagPatagonia Provisions’
pack of roasted lentils,
buckwheat, and seeds
is coated in punchy
chipotle pepper and
lime seasoning.
$24 for a box of 12BUT NOT
ON AN EMPTY
STOMACH