4 Boston Marathon beers to try right now

There are few beer moments better than the post-workout beer.

That first beer after a run or a pickup game hits differently, the brew both quenching your thirst and soothing sore muscles. Back in grad school, my regular running group would meet for a post-run beer at a Back Bay bar just over the bridge at Mass. Ave. Basketball games at the Oak Square Y in Brighton were followed by team visits to the Last Drop. I’m sure you have your own memories and traditions.

Beer, of course, is not your doctor’s preferred solution to post-exercise hydration, but plenty of fitness events have associations with the product, from taproom yoga to 5K races sponsored by breweries. One of the world’s most famous foot races, the 2025 Boston Marathon, also has an official beer, and several other local breweries are making special brews for the 129th running of the event coming up on April 21.

Samuel Adams 26.2 Brew

The Boston Marathon’s official beer is back for its 13th year. Brewed in collaboration with the Boston Athletic Association, the name 26.2 Brew refers to the mileage of the marathon. In the glass, the beer is a gose ale, a style native to Germany that’s known for being both a little sour and a little salty. This light-bodied ale has hints of citrus and peppery spice, and is brewed with coriander.

In 2019, the recipe for 26.2 Brew was tweaked with the help of marathoners Meb Keflezighi and Des Linden. The beer is available on draft and in cans at Samuel Adams’ Faneuil Hall and Jamaica Plain taprooms, throughout race weekend at the Run Pub in City Hall Plaza, and key accounts in Greater Boston.

Jack’s Abby Boston Rising

First released in 2020, Jack’s Abby’s Boston Rising is a “double hoppy lager” from one of the foremost lager purveyors in the state. Brewed with 2-row and Vienna malt, as well as citra hops, Boston Rising smells of pineapple and mango and pays tribute to the enduring spirit of the people of Boston. It also packs a punch at 8 percent alcohol by volume.

Night Shift Brewing Unicorn Tears

Night Shift’s tribute to the Boston Marathon unicorn is a beer dedicated to the spirit of Boston’s runners. Another gose, this lemon-lime version is “magically refreshing,” according to a Night Shift press release, and “a thirst-quenching journey into the mythical realm of zest and tang.” This limited-edition release is available at Night Shift’s Lovejoy Wharf and Everett taprooms now through the marathon.

Trillium Comeback Bru

Brewed in collaboration with Tedy’s Team, a charity running team connected with former Patriots star Tedy Bruschi, Comeback Bru is a light-bodied, hazy (of course, it’s Trillium) ale made with signature Bru-1 hops. The beer has notes of navel orange and grapefruit, but also pineapple and subtle blueberry. A portion of the proceeds of the beer go to Tedy’s Team, which supports stroke awareness and prevention.