"Fit Beer" -- Just What Your Trainer Ordered (?)

A new Canadian brew is looking to hone in on the sports drink market

For years, Draft Magazine, a digest devoted entirely to the art of beer, has had a "Beer Runner" column that's written for the person who's "equally devoted to fine beer appreciation and an active, healthy lifestyle."

I was unaware of this because, if I'm being honest, beer's not my thang and even if it was, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't equate it with clean living.

But, according to something I heard (and then read) on NPR, I could be wrong about the latter. Evidently, beer, in all of its malt and hops glory, is now being touted as a "post workout recovery drink."

(Sometimes you come to work and write about the strangest things.)

Seems that somewhere up in the Great White North, a Canadian brewery has dreamed up a "low alcohol, protein-packed 'fit beer'." Good idea, eh?

Packed with electrolytes, antioxidants and nutrients, Lean Machine "recovery ale," which is being touted as a nutritious alternative to the typical high proof Canadian brews, is the brainchild of a team of scientists at Kelowna, B.C.'s Vampt brewery.

"We just thought that maybe we could do something that would support a drinker, make it still socially fun, and help them accomplish what needs to be accomplished after an aggressive workout," explains Vampt's founder, Ian Toews.

(And, I thought that's what putting vodka in your Gatorade was for. Kidding.)

Ludicrous as this all sounds, NPR talked to a sports nutritionist in Australia who agreed that, if it's formulated properly, a beer could replace some of the electrolytes, carbs and proteins we burn off while exercising. (Anyone envision this Aussie guy as a hottie with a big, blue can of Foster's in his hand?)

Before his brewery embarks on a full scale marketing push, Toews is having Lean Machine heavily tested throughout Canada because, as he says, "Canadians know what a good beer is."