For mid-ride brew, a small beer is best. Think Coronita with a little lime chunk in there.

There's a bar down in Portland that serves Tecate on tap in small glasses with fruit. Perfect choice for mid-ride.

RE: Fat Tire, etc. New Belgian beers ain't as bad as "Bud with food coloring", but they're certainly nothing special. I can't go so far as to say "great session beer". They're just an OK beer to get when you're at a bar or convenience market with a terrible selection.