DRAFT Magazine

Sara Santiago with Unibroue Terrible

Name: Sara Santiago

Bio President of Roll Mobile; wife to Agustin and mom to Grace and Nora; proud Milwaukeean; purveyor of jackassery.

The Beer Runner: What are your beer runner credentials?

Sara Santiago: Quite simply, I love delicious beer, and I love running, hiking, and having fun outdoors with my husband and our kids. Being an active family and appreciating our ability to do that is important to me. As a mom, I want to be a strong, positive role model for my girls. It’s so important that they see how I care for my own health as well as theirs. I want to instill in them the benefits that an active, healthy lifestyle has to offer, from the physiological benefits of exercise, to the opportunity for inspiration and wonderment that comes with a hike up a moonlit canyon. How am I into craft beer? Sara likes beer. It’s really that simple.

BR: How did you get into running?

SS: I became serious about running in 1999. At the time I didn’t have children, and I wanted an activity that offered solitude and a higher cardiovascular benefit than the team sports Agustin and I were playing. I began to run regularly, and soon was entering local races, triathlons and half marathons. I found that running was the activity that fit well for me. I have continued to run over the years, sometimes going through periods of “dry” months, where I wish I were running more, but then I try to get back in the saddle and ramp up the mileage again. I’m currently in “ramp up” mode now.

Sara on a winter run

BR: What are your goals for 2010?

SS: My goals for 2010 are pretty simple. Find the balance. Maintain a high level of running activity, maintain a high level of performance in my professional life, and have the most wicked-awesome fun with my family. All while enjoying well crafted, delicious and unique brews. Cha cha cha.

BR: What have been some of your biggest running highlights so far?

SS: My favorite race ever was the 2008 Memphis Half Marathon supporting St. Jude’s Hospital. It was a very emotional experience. The entire city seemed to reach out to all of the runners and offer their sincere gratitude. The energy was amazing! My sister and I drove down to Memphis from Milwaukee, stayed in an awful (totally gross) motel, ran a fabulous race on a beautiful day, supported one of our favorite charities, and celebrated that night with beer and Beale Street. I guess I should also mention that my sister is the funniest person on the face of this Earth, so having her for a running partner is ridiculously fun.

BR: How did you get into craft beer?

SS: I paid my way through college by bartending. It gave me the opportunity to sample a lot of beer and wine. I realized I had an opinion about beer. Wow, it sounds so dorky when I say it like that.

BR: What’s your beer of choice?

SS: That, my friend, is an unfair question. I don’t think I can choose one beer. I am partial to an IPA. I love a good porter, and if you ever want to try a good sour ale, you really should try the La Folie Sour Brown Ale by New Belgium. Aged in floor to ceiling oak casks. Amazing.

BR: When you visited Colorado a few months ago, did you do more hiking or drinking?

Sara visits New Belgium

SS: We did quite a bit of hiking (at least one hike every day for four days), but one of our main reasons for the trip was to tour some of Colorado’s craft breweries, the highlight being one of my favorites, New Belgium. The brewery is beautiful. A balance of form and function. The culture there is so closely aligned with my own ideas of blending what you’re passionate about with what you do everyday, and what you put back into the world. I also love the fact that behind that successful brewery was a guy with a dream to start a brewery and a woman who loved him so much, that she supported his dream and told him to quit his engineering job and “follow your folly.” Behind one of my favorite beers is a strong woman.

BR: Living in Milwaukee, do you have any tips for winter running?

SS: Listen to your feet, knees, and hips. Runners tend to modify stride when running over uneven snow and ice. Or, you may overcompensate and pronate differently, causing injury. Be aware of your stride, keep an eye out for ice, and if you are going to fall, let yourself fall. You are more likely to strain your back trying to regain balance on a patch of ice. Oh, and if you do fall down, take a photo with your phone and post it on Twitter.

BR: How did you like trying out the Bar Method as a workout? And did you visit a bar afterward?

SS: omg Bar Method! Wow. This workout is intense. I love it because it works completely different muscle groups than running. I also find it fun to use the bar and pretend that I look graceful, like a dancer. Then I hear my husband cracking up behind me. I did enjoy a pint afterward, but from the fridge, not the bar.

BR: You’re a fan of Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, right?

SS: I enjoy the Young’s Double Chocolate Stout because it doesn’t have a sweet finish, no syrupy weight to it. Lots of cocoa flavor, not overly creamy mouthfeel, nice dry finish. I’m actually experimenting with it for a chocolate cupcake recipe I’m working on. I cook with beer often, and I’m venturing in to baking with beer this year.

BR: Any other words of wisdom you’d like to add?

SS: Find the balance that works for you. You’ll know it when you find it.

“I never thought I’d be on a bike/ It’s a two-wheel pimping device.”

It’s hard to make a spoof of a spoof

New Belgium, however, pulls it off with their two-wheeled take on the T-Pain “On A Boat” parody.

Watch for the references in “On A Bike” to the Tour de Fat, the bike-in movie, and Mothership Whit.

This has got to the most successful craft brewer spoof hip hoppers since Sam Calgione brought the Pain Relievaz.

Thanks to Chris for the link.

Ryan Van Duzer believes that if he rides a three speed bike across America, “more people can ride to the grocery store.”

Duzer is currently riding a New Belgium cruiser from San Diego to DC, and the Colorado brewery is sponsoring his journey.

“New Belgium gave me a cruiser last year and I jokingly said that I’ll ride it across America, and they took me seriously,” he told elephant journal.  “This ride fits in perfectly with their eco-minded mission. Oh, and they make good beer.”

If that wasn’t a challenge enough, he’ll be hauling a keg of New Belgium along with him. Wow.

“I’ll be pulling a pony keg of Mothership Wit, a nice wheaty organic beer that has been proven to be more effective than any other energy drink on the market!” he told elephant journal.

If you see him on the road, the least you can do is buy him a pint. Just like his grandma did during his ride from Maine to Key West.

You can follow his journey here.

The six sweetest words in the English language.

With those words on a new commemorative Fat Tire label, New Belgium officially made its long-awaited arrival in Wisconsin.

As of Monday, you could pick up New Belgium Fat Tire, Mothership Wheat and 1554 in my home state in 22-ounce, full pint bottles. And there was much rejoicing in the land.

I picked up a few pre-ordered cases from Blatz Liquor in Milwaukee. Several did the same. We put quite a dent in the inventory.

New Belgium keeps rolling along and next arrives in South Dakota on Monday, May 11. It will be available in 29 states by the middle of 2009, according to The Full Pint.

A spokesperson quoted on the Full Pint said the company is excited to share their “passion for world-class beers and the biking life.”

And just how do they have a passion for beer and bikes? You gotta check this out.

"Those little things are hard as hell to ride."

Joe Stephenson — one of our past Beer Runner spotlights — unexpectedly found  himself the homepage model for New Belgium’s Urban Assault Ride.

“Do I get a lifetime supply of free Fat Tire for unexpectedly being a @newbelgium UAR poster guy?” he asked on Twitter.

The 10-city unorthodox scavenger hunt — infamous for obstacles, mystery check-points, mini bikes, and beer — kicks off this Sunday in Tucson before hitting the road and going cross-country.

“We’re excited to bring our crazy celebration of beer, bikes, and big wheels to the land of cactus, burritos, and desert single track,” reads the Tucson event page.

Meanwhile, New Belgium makes its long awaited arrival in Wisconsin in early May.

Joe, myself and other New Belgium fans are planning a meet-up for May 5th at 7 p.m. at Blatz Liquor in Milwaukee to celebrate. Stop by if you’re in town!

The WereBikes

Beware the WereBikes!

Actually, no need to really beware. It’s just a bike that’s tricked out like a werewolf.

Kurt and Teresa Mitchell wrapped fake fur over their bikes for a Full Moon ride in Austin. January’s full moon was known as a “wolf moon,” hence the decorations.

“We like to call them furbys,” Kurt explained. “And strangely take offense when called fuzzy.”

I met Kurt and Teresa at the BikeHugger tent at South By Southwest. I later tracked Kurt down and made him talk about the Full Moon Ride, being a personal trainer and what Austin would be if it was beer.

And remember, tonight’s a full moon, so watch out… for the WereBike!

Tell me about the Full Moon Ride. Does it involve drinking and/or howling at the moon?

It’s every full moon, starting at midnight. Drinking is the very cornerstone of the full moon ride. We try and blend in with the young hipster/doofus kids swilling Lone Star and riding fixies. My wife thinks I use think type of language to mask my longing to be hip. Damn, I hate when she’s right! The day you saw the bikes festooned as they were was for the “wolf moon” ride. That night, someone had a papier-mâché moon fixed above their bike on a wire. We were all to follow and some if not all 300 plus riders let out a howl or two.

What’s your favorite beer to have after a workout?

It all depends on who I ride with. If I’m over my head and just trying to hang on to a wheel (like riding with my wife), it’s Recoverite or Endurox R4, a nap and then a nice Wit beer. A more social ride sometimes ends with something meatier, New Belgium 1554 or Left Hand Milk Stout.

What do you specialize in as a personal trainer?

I coach a run group and a Tri group that I dearly love. Turning people on to endurance sports is fantastic. However, I think the most rewarding hours are spent helping folks change their lifestyle, their bodies, and minds.

Since I met you at the Bike Hugger tent, how did you find out about them? Do you do many things with them?

Received an email from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop about the whole affair. At that point we knew nothing about Bike Hugger. Since then we have been on their site many times and linked to lots of bike culture crap. We don’t have a TV so websites are the primary form of entertainment.

If Austin was a beer, what would it be?

Shiner Bock. Just like Austin, it used to be dirt cheap and natural. Now, overpriced and full of crap (corn syrup). Again, why do I have to be so crass? “You kids get out of my yard!”

Taos skiing photo by sirtrentalot

I confess that I don’t ski anymore. A knee injury on the slopes put an end to that last year.

If I did, however, I couldn’t think of a better ski outing than one that involves the mountains pictured above, a scavenger hunt, supporting non-profits, Bigfoot, a live chicken, and beer.

There can only be one beer company behind such an event: New Belgium. I am constantly blown away by their creativity.

The Taos Scavenger Hunt at Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico on Monday, March 16, is being billed as “fundraising, snow-sleuthing, and sustainable schooling.”

Participants search for clues about New Belgium Brewing, Taos Ski Valley, sustainability and the Field Institute of Taos. They’ve let on that encounters with one mythical forest creature, costumes and a chicken chase are highly probable.

In addition to prizes for teams with the most scavenger points, the afterparty will include giveaways from New Belgium and Taos Ski Valley. And no one goes home empty-handed. Each participant will receive a New Belgium pint glass made for the event.

Cost to enter is $10 with all the proceeds going to the Field Institute of Taos. Registration starts at 9 a.m, with the scavenger hunt running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Taos Scavenger Hunt is the first in a three-hunt series. The other scavenger hunts will take place at Telluride Ski Resort on March 21 and Loveland Ski Area on April 4.

More info here. 

New Belgium just released their first-ever Sustainability Report, and perusing the 20-page PDF reveals quite a few interesting tidbits on what it’s like to work for a kick-ass Colorado craft brewer.

Like brewhouse yoga classes. And helping pay for employee’s triathlons. And an indoor climbing wall with views of their La Folie wood-aged beers.

“We place great value on wellness,” the report states. “It is so important, in fact, that we formed a wellness committee comprised of employees with varied backgrounds and departments within the company’s scope.”

It’s all listed under the huge Wellness heading in the report. Here’s a few other highlights employees can take advantage of:

• Smoking cessation plan
• Discounts for a weight loss program
• Coverage for 12 acupuncture visits per year
• Discounts and passes to a local fitness club
• An outdoor sand volleyball court
• Community kitchen with fresh berries growing on-site
• Loaner bikes that any employee can use for errands

Are you kidding me? Like we didn’t already know it’s officially awesome to work for New Belgium.