Is this the best way to end a long hike?

The latest outdoor trend? You’ll find it at the bottom of a frothing pint of ale…

There are few better ways we can think of ending a long, hardy hike than with a nice pint of beer… And clearly the brewing industry has switched on to this. This spring not one, but two breweries, are launching outdoors-inspired beers, and it’s making us thirsty.

First up is Thornbridge Brewery’s Wild Side. Peak District-based Thornbridge’s 10th birthday coincides with the 10th anniversary of The Countryside and Rights of Way act, which saw the public’s right to access in the Peak District grow from 240 square kilometres to more than 500. For Thornbridge, there was only one way to celebrate: with a tasty, Peak District-inspired 4.5% Pale Ale.

Sue Smith, access and rights of way officer for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “Many people don’t realise that a third of our national park is access land. We hope that this anniversary beer will help inspire others to take a walk on the wild side on our hills, moors and dales.”

Next up is Striding the Riding, a 4% pale ale from Helmsley Brewing Company. The inspiration? The Cleveland Way, Britain’s second oldest National Trail, which forms a horseshoe around the North York Moors National Park, starting in the market town of Helmsley and finishing 109 miles later on the coast at Filey.

Finish off your hike of the Cleveland way with a foamy pint!

Striding the Riding will become the official beer of the nine-day hike, and the brewery will make a donation to the upkeep of the Cleveland Way for every cask sold. Malcolm Hodgson, National Trails Officer for the Cleveland Way said: “It’s always nice to reward yourself after a good walk and what better way than with a glass of beer inspired by the very route you’ve been enjoying? Not only does Striding the Riding taste great, but you’ll be helping to give something back to the local landscape too.”

Know any more beer / hiking collaborations? Let us know on our Facebook page.