Etixx – Quick-Step launch ‘healthy beer’

Belgian professional cycling team Etixx – Quick-Step – home to the likes of Mark Cavendish, Tom Boonen, Michal Kwiatkowski and Tony Martin – is launching a new beer as part of a partnership with Flemish brewery De Bie.

Bikes and beer certainly do go hand-in-hand in Belgium, as you'll know if you've ever spectated at the Tour of Flanders or a cyclocross event out there.

The beer, De Bike Vélo, is said to be “a traditional, light and flavourful beer especially for cycling and team fans”.

“It is possible to have a healthy beer,” said De Bie’s Nicolas Tjoen. “We brew with natural quality products and not with chemical products.”

De Bie Vélo' is a blond triple beer with 8% alcohol. That’s, you know, high.

“The beer has a special flavour,” according to beer expert Robbie Defraeye, as quoted by De Bie.

“There is a good sweet-bitter balance. The beer tastes fruity and has a malty aftertaste. The spicy notes of star anise, coriander and sage are the finishing touch. Both men and women will love this beer. It is a very tasty and hearty alcohol in percentage terms, but still has good drinkability.”

The beer will be available in the Etixx – Quick-Step fanclub, for VIPs during races, and as a special gift package in the Etixx – Quick-Step online fanshop. 

We can’t see it in the online shop yet. You can get a pair of hand-painted miniature Etixx – Quick-Step riders for €15 while you wait although, admittedly, that’s not really the same as beer, is it?