I thought I would start a discussion about some of my favorite brewed beverages to take along on paddling trips. In Missouri, USA, we are required to leave the bottled beer on shore, so the challenge becomes finding quality beer in cans. For those of us in short distance to larger stores in metro-area locals, that may not be too difficult. Out of the city, though, it is tough, so planning ahead to purchase “pre-trip” becomes a necessity.

I like well-crafted, well-balanced darker beers (typically British style ales or German dark lagers). Brown ales, bitters, old ales, wee heavy…dunkles, bocks, double bocks, and even the odd pale ale or alt.

That being said, there are just a few locally available in cans in my areas, so I’ve tried them all one time or another. I like Newcastle, Bass, Baltika (6 & 9), Smithwick’s, Murphy’s red (and stout, but I like Guinness better), Young’s double chocolate stout, Fat Tire, Dales Pale Ale and Old Chub (Scottish ale), and an assortment of lighter fare for hot summer days.

I’m looking forward to hearing what other enjoy…