Barbell Brew: Is The Protein-Packed Alcoholic Brew The Real Deal Or A Gimmick To Entice The Gym Rat Drinker?

When it comes to those who take their workouts seriously, as in elite athletes, bodybuilders, and those who burn three to four hours of daylight in the gym per day, four to five days a week, they will oftentimes claim that the actual workout is only half the battle. When working out, one needs fuel and those who want to get ripped have to fuel their bodies with the right foods: green leafy veggies, lean proteins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and a lot of water. Also, there are certain foods one must avoid because they could jeopardize their health, especially for those who are aiming for some sort of gain (muscle mass or lean muscle definition for example).

One such food product considered to be a culprit in jeopardizing said gains of elite athletes and bodybuilders is alcohol, specifically beer. Soon, that may not be the case as a new beer called Barbell Brew promises to be an “alcoholic alternative” to post-workout shakes. However, is Barbell Brew the real deal or a gimmick made to entice the gym rat drinker?

You should be #drinking this tonight. #beer #weekend https://t.co/AP5vqqqBcc

— GQ India (@gqindia) July 7, 2016

The news of a beer for those who frequent the gym would likely spread on social media. The company responsible for making it is Muscle Food, an online specialty food store that provides food products for elite athletes and bodybuilders. Nevertheless, it took them three months to create Barbell Brew, an alcoholic beverage (specifically beer) anybody could drink right after their workout. According to numerous food and alcohol websites such as Eater, Barbell Brew details on their product page that it contains 21.8 grams of protein which is 95 percent more than average beer, 33 percent fewer calories, and 85 percent fewer carbohydrates

Another hook Muscle Food is utilizing is that Barbell Brew “does not taste like your average chalky protein shake.” They claim Barbell Brew has a “tantalizing light golden color” with “notes of tropical fruits and light caramel on the nose.” As for the price of Barbell Brew, it is currently £13 for a six-pack or £2.17 per bottle. Since Muscle Food is a UK website, it is most likely only available in their region.

The question one must ask about Barbell Brew is if it is the real deal. First off, it is still alcohol so its calories are most likely empty (provides no real energy for the consumer). Apparently, Muscle Food understands this as proven by the fact they cut out a lot of calories. The same goes with the carbohydrates too.

Given these facts, the one detail that could hurt Muscle Food’s Barbell Brew is in the ingredients. If just one ingredient is questionable, such as flavorings, colorings, or genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), it will be a strike against the beer. Fortunately for Muscle Food, they are in partnered with the Soil Association which is recognized for organics. Muscle Food even made sure to mention Barbell Brew is “all natural,” as reported by Telegraph.

“All natural, this delicious beer has a tantalizingly light golden color with notes of tropical fruits and light caramel on the nose.”

Only time can tell if Barbell Brew will live up to the hype. It will need more testing from pro-organic researchers to prove or disprove Muscle Food’s claims, especially in the long run. Until then, it seems like Barbell Brew will be a unique and worthwhile alternative to the common post-workout shake, but only for those in the UK.

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