New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger is really good too, a nice compromise between rich and dark but crisp and refreshing with just a hint of citrus hops. And 9% ABV!

Fat Tire is my least favorite beer. I mostly use it as meat marinade when it's included in their sampler packs. Something about the taste just puts me off, although it has lots of fans.

Ice cold IPA hits the spot.

I agree that there's nothing like a cold beer at the end of a ride, but I save that for my epic overnight rides (tongue firmly planted in cheek) and drink straight water the rest of the time.

Promised Land chocolate milk, ice cold. A little later followed by a Great Divide Old Ruffian Barely Wine Ale.

Water, lots of water. Then beer, scotch and cigars.

Three Hammer Endurolyte capsules followed by three cups of green tea. If no Endurolytes are handy then two Hammer Fizz tabs dissolved in water followed by green tea. If no Fizz is handy then what ever electrolyte drink or tabs I can find. In a jam I’ve even forced down a bottle of Gatorade followed by what ever canned/bottled tea drinks are available in the nearest convenience stores cooler.

When muscles feel properly rehydrated I certainly consider a cold and refreshing malted beverage.

Post ride? Either cold coffee, or beer (preferably an American craft-brewed IPA).

Mid-ride i'm all over a Gatorade, or, in rare instances, a Coca-Cola. But once the ride is over I'm looking for a reward, not a recovery!

Yes! That sensation of pain leaving your legs while drinking a beer is real. Just keep a breathalyzer in your glove box like I do. As many have/will point out, it's not a recovery beverage but it does help with pain relief.

A big glass of water straight out of the tap. If available I'll follow with a little bit of orange juice.

I certainly hydrate after coming in from a long ride, especially in Florida. Then it's coffee and maybe a cigar on the patio. Not particularly healthy, but my rewards usually aren't.

Tap water and a Lime pop from whole Foods. I almost always ride solo (too slow for group rides, and I hate to drink alcohol alone.

24 oz of water and 1/4 teaspoon of pink sea salt.

I almost always have a beer. Then a Costco Organic Lemonade on ice. Sometimes add a shot or two of Titos to the lemonade. Takes the back pain away.

1) Some of those generic store bought liquid fruit flavored squirty things, you squirt into water. I normally make one with ice in my water bottle for rides. Once I get back home, I get an 8oz glass of water, and use the "good stuff" that my wife bought, that is loaded with vitamin C and electrolytes and other things...

2) Once I stretch out, take a shower, relax, etc... I have to have one of these. It's almost a requirement! LOL...

Here's my favorite. It is my own recipe, well modified from the basic Vitamix Green Smoothie recipe.

This needs a heavy duty premium quality blender. Use a Vitamix or a Blendtec.

Preparation:
Peel bananas, then cut into segments about 2 inches long, and place in freezer.
Cut up fresh pineapple into medium size cubes about the size of ice cubes, maybe a bit larger, then place in freezer. Remove the skin of the pineapple, but no need to remove the core.

Ingredients:
1 ¾ cups water
120 grams fresh whole spinach leaves (with stems is OK and spinach can be frozen to keep longer)
200 grams frozen cubed pineapple
2 frozen bananas, cut up
generous blob of honey (optional, to taste)
180 grams ice

Add all ingredients to blender in order listed above. Blend on highest speed until smooth, usually about 45 seconds after all ingredients are circulating well in blender container. Use tamper if needed.

End result should be too thick to drink and be the consistency of soft serve ice cream, so dig in with a spoon.

Yield is about 44 ounces.

Tips:
#1
I freeze the cut up bananas and cubed pineapple in gallon zip lock baggies. I cut up and freeze 3 or 4 bunches of bananas and 3 or 4 pineapples at the same time.

#2
If they freeze into a hard to separate solid chunk, place the bag on a sturdy surface, cover the bag with a pot holder or two, and whack as needed with a hammer. I do this on my kitchen counter tops, but I have cheap Formica. I would not try this on Granite or other stone counter tops that might crack.

IPA??? Iso Prople Alcohol?? You're drinking rubbing alcohol???
Jon

India Pale Ale

Ha Ha. Got it. Thanks.
Jon

watermellon or cantalope for me .

My fave apres-velo drink. I swear it helps reduce post-ride muscle soreness! And it's (semi-) local!


SP
OC, OR

ordered some, it's really good and thanks for the tip

I've mixed it with milk, banana, peanut butter and ice cubes in the blender, yummy and filling

also, have mixed it in a shaker bottle with just ice cubes and pineapple juice, that's good to, and lighter

syrup of ipecac

Diet Coke ... it's refreshing.

I like a dark lager post-ride. For some reason, I always wait half an hour at least - I'm not sure why. Failing that, just water.

Chocolate mike washed down by coffee-two of the basic food groups. A dark beer later to complete all three.