What’s your favorite thing about fly fishing? Is it the thrill of the chase? Or maybe it’s the constant sound of water flowing or lapping against the rocks as you cast to another riser? Or even still, maybe it’s the simple fact that you’re just outside? Whatever your reason, one thing I know is that everything I love about fly fishing gets that much better when I can crack open an ice cold beer while indulging in it all.
And while you don’t need beer to have a good time fly fishing, we still support the (responsible) drinking of said adult beverages while participating in our favorite activity. So, as you fill the cooler to hit the water this week, grab your koozie and load up the YETI with one – ok, a few – of these tasty brews to enjoy as you fill your nets.
New Belgium Fat Tire
Where were you in 1991? I’m pretty sure I was toodling around, chasing frogs and salamanders or waiting for my bobber to bounce, but our friends at New Belgium Brewing were busy creating something legendary: Fat Tire. This amber ale is crisp, features a slight hop, yet malty goodness, and it’s never anything less than perfectly chilled. As you might imagine, it’s the perfect go-to beer for after-work brown trout chasing any time of year.
Corona Light
It’s light, it’s delicious and it may or may not be the unofficial beverage of the Postfly team. This sip of sunshine in a bottle is only 99 calories and 5 grams of carbs, making it the perfect all-day-drinker. Thinking about chasing stripers for the day? Grab yourself a six…er, 12 pack, load up and get after it. You might want to bring along some taco fixings and limes, too. Just sayin’.
Deschutes Lil Squeezy
I like ‘em slightly hoppy and I like ‘em super juicy; cue Deschutes Lil’ Squeezy. It’s a crisp, citrusy Pale Ale that’s hard to beat. After some time on the oars or what feels like a hundred casts (while trying not to snag your fishing partner perched up on the bow), crack open one of these and let the recharge soak in. And if you’re looking for something with a bigger, smack-you-in-the-mouth-and-you’ll-like-it hop, pick up Deschutes’ Fresh Haze IPA – it’s the perfect last call beer after a long day on the water and equally long night of fishy stories around the campfire.
Pabst Blue Ribbon
It doesn’t matter if you’re floating the Delaware, the Colorado, or the Snake; if you ask your buddy to throw you a beer, odds are a PBR will be in the mix. Why? Maybe it’s nostalgia for a simpler time (they are touted as the “original lager”)…or maybe it’s the low ABV and the fact that you can drink it ice cold from the cooler, lukewarm from a few days rolling around in the truck bed, or somewhere in between and it still tastes good. Whatever the reason, just make sure to add a few to the lineup.
Yuengling Lager
We may or may not have saved the best for last, but we definitely saved the longest running. This one is for our east coast buddies. As a born and raised Pennsylvanian (now, Colorado transplant), I’m proud to have enjoyed many a Yueng’er along central PA creeks and on northeast PA ponds. It’s the go-to warm water drinker. Brewed by America’s oldest brewery with some of the highest quality water straight out of Pottstown, PA, you can’t go wrong packing a few for a night of chasing big bass and musky from an old tin can boat at the lake.
Whatever brew suits your fancy, just remember to indulge responsibly – those fish won’t chase themselves, after all. Cheers, until next time!
Based in southern Colorado, Ryan is a photographer, outdoorswoman, fish chaser, and proud mama to two wild Outdoors-loving kiddos. When not wrangling little ones or cattle dogs, you’ll find her on the water, on a trail or on the road looking for the next piece of water and (hopefully) high country trout.