By far the loudest ovation at last year’s San Diego Beer News Awards ceremony – an event that always features plenty of energetic crowd participation – was when the winner of the Nate Soroko Community Impact Award was announced. While all of the several hundred attendees applauded for recipient Shade Hartline, a large group off to the left side of the stage erupted, cheering, pumping their fists, and jumping up and down on rather well sculpted calves. Their war cry? “On a Monday!” (Keep in mind, the event took place on a Tuesday.)
Hartline isn’t a brewer or even an employee at any of the county’s beer companies. He was being recognized for co-founding a Monday night run club with Seek Beer Co. When the Seek Running Club launched, the entire group fit easily in the brewery’s small taproom at North Park’s Craft by Brewery Igniter facility. Now group photos need to be snapped on the expansive outdoor patio, as runs regularly include well over 100 individuals united by a shared hobby and the camaraderie that comes with a post-run beer.
“I have had successful run clubs at previous breweries I’ve worked for, so I was aware of how a brewery can serve as a community hub where the shared struggle of a 5K race builds bonds quicker than sitting quietly at a bar ever could,” says Seek owner and brewer Dave Ohmer (who has since teamed with his wife, Niki, to run the Seek Beer Club). “If you think about the general stereotypes of beer-drinkers and runners, there’s not a lot of overlap, but in reality, that just isn’t true. I’ve met several people throughout my time in the industry who are also exercise enthusiasts, whether it’s running, cycling or rock-climbing. For physically active runners, a brewery run club provides a familiar and safe environment to explore that hobby.”
Run Clubs also provide a fun environment, especially for those whose interests include exercise, local beer and, perhaps, making some new friends.
“Joining a run club is a great way to stay fit and be social with like-minded people,” says Louis Teng, Retail Manager at Stone Brewing’s Point Loma bar and restaurant, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station, where he recently started a run club that has quickly taken off. “By meeting up on a regular basis, you’ll eventually get to know your fellow runners.”
An avid runner who competes in several races and half-marathons annually, Teng first learned about run clubs while working as a cellarman and beertender at Carlsbad’s Rouleur Brewing. A regular told him about a Wednesday night club operating out of Pizza Port’s nearby headquarters in Bressi Ranch. Teng gave it a shot and greatly enjoyed the “super-chill” vibe and a hilly, challenging route that eliminated any would-be guilt about post-run pints. After getting hired by Stone, he worked through the proper channels to set up a Wednesday-night run club at his workplace. In doing so, he was influenced by the numerous breweries whose clubs he had participated in over the years.
“The local run groups I have come across are pretty diverse, with varying age ranges and fitness levels. Each manages things in their own way, but I think we all share some common goals: staying active and enjoying each other’s company over a pint,” says Teng. “For the Liberty Station Run Club, I do an intro with an ice-breaker question before we start. I want everyone to feel welcome, regardless of who they are and what their fitness goals are.”
While still in its early stages, the success of Teng’s four-month-old club has inspired him to take things a step further by putting together a special event. On Saturday, January 31, he will lead a 9.3-mile (15K) round-trip run starting at Stone’s Liberty Station location, heading to the Stone Brewing Taproom at the intersection of Kettner Boulevard and B Street in downtown San Diego, then back. Half-off Stone beers will be available to runners after the run is completed.
When asked about the common misconception that beer and exercise don’t mix, Teng says the body needs rehydrating after a workout and that beer can help with that. Ohmer agrees, citing recent studies which show that moderate-ABV (alcohol-by-volume) beer in the 4 to 5 percent range contains electrolytes, sodium, minerals and polyphenols that are not found in plain water. In addition to Seek beers that already fit that alcohol range, Ohmer developed an American light lager just for his run club dubbed – you guessed it – “On a Monday”. As one would expect, it’s a favorite of the many club members who have become friends over beers during their cool-down periods.
“The social aspect of enjoying a beer after a run is more important now than ever. Many people abandon exercise programs because they feel lonely or bored,” says Ohmer. “A brewery provides a ‘social reward’ that can turn a chore into a highlight of the week, helping to keep people motivated.”
That statement rings true at breweries throughout the county which offer the means for both beer and exercise…yes, even “on a Monday”.
Local Brewery Run Clubs
Culture Brewing (Solana Beach & Encinitas): Every Monday, runners meet up at Culture’s Solana Beach taproom at 6 p.m. to take on one of several routes. On Tuesdays, runners assemble at Culture’s Encinitas taproom at 6 p.m. for 3-5 mile runs along the Coast Highway and Coastal Rail Trail, passing through downtown Encinitas, Swami’s and Cardiff Beach.
Seek Beer Co. (North Park): Every Monday, runners meet up at the brewery at 6 p.m., then embark on a 5K or 10K run on periodically changing routes at 6:15 p.m. Seek also hosts “boomerang” fun-runs on Saturdays, with stops at other neighborhood businesses. Runners check in before each run and earn a t-shirt after 10 runs, and a hat after 25 runs.
Michi Brew Co. (San Marcos): Every Tuesday, runners meet at the brewery at 6 p.m., where Run North County leads 3.5-, 4- and 5-mile routes for all levels of runners and walkers. Their motto is “no one left behind”.
Pure Project Brewing (Carlsbad): On Tuesday, OMG (Oceanside Multisport Group) leads a 6-mile run along the coast and Carlsbad Boardwalk, allowing participants to run two, four or six miles of the route.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station (Point Loma): Every Wednesday, runners meet at the Stone Company Store near the north entrance to the restaurant on Sims Road at 6 p.m. After a 3.25-mile run through Liberty Station and over the Nimitz Bridge, participants receive 50% off beers at the Company Store bar.