Hiking & Hops: First post in a long time

I’m back with a new blog post! Since I haven’t visited new cities or discovered new craft beer spots in a while, I took a little break. What’s there to write about if I’m not exploring new beer locations?

Then I realized I can always write about what #BeerSaturday is all about: DRINKING BEER!

I often go for long hikes, and to reward myself, I bring a small backpack with a cooler bag and some tasty cans of beer (plus everything for a modest charcuterie board).

Since every gram counts on a hike, I only pack beers I really (expect to) enjoy. So here it is: a Beer Tasting on the Mountain in Switzerland.

Garage Symfony – Farsight Brewing

First up is Garage Symfony from Farsight Brewing in… Hengelo (Netherlands). This one has traveled quite a distance. It’s a delicious Double Dry Hopped New England IPA—or in other words, a hop bomb.

It’s citrusy and hoppy, but unlike many beers in this style, it’s also surprisingly refreshing. At 7%, it’s not a light beer, but it’s not overly heavy either.

A great choice to start with in the lovely sunshine.

HALVNELSON – Stigbergets

Next, another NEIPA: HALVNELSON by Stigbergets, weighing in at 5.7%. While it looks just as juicy and citrusy, it leans more toward a classic IPA. It’s a bit more bitter and clearly grassier.

But it pairs perfectly with some Swiss cheese and local cured meats. And it was the ideal beer to enjoy as the sun quickly cooled down.

The weather looks set to stay beautiful in this region for a while. So get ready for weekly beer reviews from the mountain!

If you’re more interested in my travels to craft beer bars around the world, check out my other posts below!

Italy: Lecco | Thailand: Bangkok / Ko Pha Ngan & Ko Samui | Netherlands: Rotterdam