Since warm, sunny days are few and far between here in the Pacific Northwest, it is crucial that we soak up every possible drop of Vitamin D we can, preferably with a drink in hand. Lucky for us, a few business geniuses devised a marriage between two highly anticipated and enjoyed summer activities: bike rides and beer tasting.
Major cities across the United States have welcomed onto their streets what appear to be pubs on the move. These foot-powered mobile bar tops average six to 16 people that sit around a counter and work together cycling their legs to power their “tavern.” Although in Oregon and Washington alcohol consumption is not allowed in conjunction with pedaling, the tours take regular stops at multiple microbreweries allowing the hardworking cyclists to rehydrate with a summer delight. With prices ranging, starting as low as $20, who wouldn’t want to get some sun, a workout and drinks with friends on a summer day?
No stranger to good beer or bike riding, Portland is unsurprisingly on our list of cities with these special bike and brew tours. In a city with such an abundance of microbreweries, there is room for multiple tours to take place. BrewCycle Portland takes patrons on a music and conversation filled ride to six local watering holes. A quick trip across the Willamette to the east side of the city and you can spend a day on the Pedalounge, but in contrast to BrewCycle Portland, the Pedalounge requires a minimum party of 12 for the use of their vehicle.
Seattle proves to be another city high on the desirability scale for exploration due to its phenomenal views and lavish libations. The Cycle Saloon offers Seattle visitors and natives a new way to experience breweries through its customizable routes for private parties and preplanned tours of Ballard and Fremont’s best breweries. Although this ride moves along rain or shine, we recommend leaving your rain jackets at home and taking advantage of it on a sunny day.
Idaho is not allowing this new partying craze to slip through the cracks and is the proud home of the Boise Bike Bar. Available for tours through Boise, Eagle, Meridian or Nampa, this vehicle is rather versatile in terms of destination, and allows their riders to party it up until 10 pm. Worried you won’t be able to round up enough friends to fill the ride? Don’t let that be a deterrent because the team at the Boise Bike Bar will be happy to try and mix and match smaller groups to create an unforgettable experience.
So if you cannot decide on where to bring your date, how to celebrate an important life event, or which brewery to make a cameo appearance in for happy hour, take “booze cruise” to the next level and hop on one of these tours.
