Tom: "Beer is a good recovery drink."
Tom Held’s Off The Couch blog is a big inspiration for me.
Tom is a wealth of knowledge on Wisconsin cross country skiing, running, cycling, outdoor sports advocacy and, yes, good beer.
“This may be a bit sappy,” he told me, “but I think there’s a real community or bonding element to beer.”
A seasoned reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he of course has a source to back up such a claim. Specifically, the camaraderie of Valley Spur, one of his favorite XC ski spots.
“I’ve had people offer me beer, soup, sandwiches and plenty of good stories,” he says. “It’s really part of the joy of the outdoors and physical activity.”
Lucky for me, our paths have crossed before in the newsroom, on the race course and at the finish line beer table. And now on the Beer Runner.
What’s your favorite beer when you’re On the Couch?
I currently favor the Lakefront IPA, but with the wealth of great brews out there it’s impossible to call one a favorite. I find the Cream City Pale Ale very drinkable, and the New Glarus Spotted Cow is a nice light post-workout beer. Now that cross-country ski season is here, I’ll start mixing in some porters and stouts to brace for the cold. I’d say my favorite is the one my wife puts in the refrigerator.
You’re big into running, cycling and XC skiing. Which sport do you think has the most beer drinkers?
If you pushed me on it, I’d say cross-country skiing but you definitely find beer drinkers in all three of those. It’s not so much the sport, but the athlete. The ones who are out there to enjoy the outdoors, compete hard and fair and not take themselves too seriously are the ones most likely to tip one in celebration after the finish.
One anecdote in support of that cross-country skier pick: Last winter, I was fortunate to catch fresh snow and a beautiful full moon out on the Nordic Trails in La Grange. When I got to the lodge to gear up, a group of guys from the area were inside enjoying a few post-ski beers. We talked about trail conditions etc. and I mentioned that it would be great to have a cold one waiting for me when I finished. Sure enough, when I got back and turned on the light, I found a beer they had left for me on a table. That sort of friendliness is priceless. One more plus about x-country skiing - natural refrigeration.
Cross Country skiing via a4gpa on Flickr
You’ve written about the post-race beer from the Ale House at the Lakefront Discovery run. Do you think it’s becoming more common to see beer at finish lines?
I wouldn’t say it’s more common at all. The Discovery Run is unusual because the beer is free, which probably accounts for the long line at the tap. This may be a blessing or a curse, but in Wisconsin it’s a rarity to not find beer at the finish. A lot of the events, bicycling, skiing, running, are supported by your local Lion’s Club or similar service organization and those guys have been running beer tents for decades. They’re pros. And I’ve found beer to be a great bargain at those events - usually about $2 a can or tap.
You’re blog is devoted to those in Wisconsin who make a lot of noise “in a quiet way” paddling, hiking, running, cycling, skiing, etc Do you think this community is growing? Is it not so quiet anymore?
I think it goes in cycles, like most other things. Mountain biking had a huge boom a decade ago, but has leveled off a bit and now road cycling has become a bigger draw. Cyclocross certainly has gained momentum and I think running is on a bit of an upswing as well.
The big running events are drawing record numbers and marathons are very popular. The key will be to draw the 20- and 30-somethings to fill the fields as the baby boomers start aging out of competition. They aren’t giving up easily, though, if you’ve noticed all those gray haired wonders posting fantastic times.
As for being quiet, I certainly have noticed a louder and more-organized advocacy effort for safer roads and expanded trails. That should help those who enjoy some peace and quiet in their pursuits.
You grew up in Wisconsin. Have you seen beer culture change at all in the state over the years?
I joke about this being the “golden age” of beer because of the boom in craft and micro-brews. I went to UW-Oshkosh in the early ‘80s and never imagined the variety and quality of beer that was on the horizon. Of course, we couldn’t afford much beyond a case or two of Rhinelander at the time, anyway.
One concern is the preponderance of binge drinking. I think there’s a big difference between enjoying a beer or two to celebrate a good effort and the camaraderie of a race and drinking to see how wasted you can get.
I read that you’re a fan of Bell’s Two Hearted Ale. Any special backstory with how you got into that beer?
I’m a big fan of Hemingway and the U.P., so the nod to his short story set along the Big Two-Hearted River resonated with me. And the beer itself is superb. I like the beer and the whole attitude of Bell’s Brewery. The literary references and their support for cycling make certainly set them apart from the macro-brews.
As for the back story, I discovered Bell’s Oberon when I traveled to Marquette, Mich., for my first Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Race, maybe 10 years ago, and I was thrilled when Bell’s started selling in the Milwaukee market.
Anything else to add?
I tend to side with the studies that find beer is a good recovery drink. The downside, of course, is the alcohol, which acts as a diuretic. That’s really the last thing somebody needs when they’re dehydrated. As in most things, the important thing is moderation. A beer to knock out the taste of Gatorade and Gu cleans the palate for bananas and fruit juice.
Ryan Van Duzer believes that if he rides a three speed bike across America, “more people can ride to the grocery store.”
