I Had the Best Post-Hike Patio Beer and Burger At This Alabama Brewery

Knowing a cold beer and a juicy burger are at the end of the trail instantly opens my eyes to the joy of a strenuous hike.

Beer and burger aside, I love hiking and being in nature. And I am guessing that most like-minded folks find it hard to resist hiking trails amid the splendor of fall foliage, the flowers and rushing waterfalls of spring, and dipping into the cool swimming holes of summer. Cold wintertime hikes can be just as beautiful in their own right, yet sometimes require more motivation.

For those times, Old Black Bear Brewing Company in Madison is the ultimate place for a post-hike beer and burger in Alabama, especially in winter. I've seen Old Black Bear's slogan, "Hard Work Has Its Reward," and while it may have nothing to do with me hiking when it's cold outside, I decided this message was meant for me. I've also seen their amazing beer garden dotted with cozy firepits.

The image stayed in my mind as I set out with my youngest dog to tackle the 1.5-mile Rainbow Mountain Loop at Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve. That distance doesn't seem like a lot, and it takes most people less than an hour to complete. However, I explored half of it several years ago with a friend and knew the route is rocky, somewhat challenging in parts, and includes an elevation gain of about 350 feet.

Meanwhile, on this occasion, I knew I had a young dog along for the adventure. He'd also not tackled trails beyond the flatter paths we've taken around Decatur. That's enough to make it "hard work" deserving a post-hike beer and burger.

(But let's be real: Any hike warrants these things, in my book. Even if your only hike is from your car to the beer garden.)

But on this day, we definitely hiked. While rated moderately challenging on AllTrails, it was indeed hard work in spots. That was partly due to my stocky little hound dog, Bruce. He navigated his way up and around some of the most rocky sections without a care for the speed I preferred to prevent twisting an ankle. On a brighter note, the ground and rocks were damp after heavy rains last week, yet the trail wasn't nearly as muddy or slippery as I suspected.

At the parking lot, which is situated in a neighborhood on Stoneway Trail not far from the thoroughfare of Hughes Road, a large pavilion and signage make the trailhead hard to miss. You immediately begin descending the mountain past a playground onto the well-marked trail. Even without their leaves, the trees still obscure any sweeping views of the city below, yet you can see a little of it in the wintertime.

Near the trail's lowest point and before climbing the loop back upwards, we came across a gurgling spring-fed stream cascading down the rocks. We found a spot to cross easily and continue the trail.

Now is a good time to mention kudos to whoever installed so many trail blazes to help newcomers find their way. I recall a few years ago getting lost, so these must be new or were obscured by foliage at the time I visited. On this day, I easily found the white diamonds on trees on the few occasions I needed them.

Heading back up the mountain, we enjoyed the rock formations and plant life indicating the cooler portion of the trail. The stark, leafless trees framed the bold, moss-padded rocks, which added lively color contrasts to the grays and browns of branches and dead leaves. Bruce seemed to enjoy the new surroundings, got a workout on the rocks, and only stubbed his snout once.

After climbing back up, we headed south five miles down Hughes Road to downtown Madison for that beer and burger. Since Old Black Bear Brewing Company opens later on weekdays than weekends (4 p.m. Monday through Thursday), we had half an hour to spare. Bruce hung out in the car while I explored a couple of shops for last-minute Christmas gifts. I found several beautiful things for family and friends at Noble Passage Interiors, a shop just two doors down.

While the chilly temps seemed to have impacted the crowd outdoors, we cozied up immediately by a fire pit. The manager brought me a Cave City Lager and Bruce a bowl of water while we waited on that burger. Beer notes: This brew is Old Black Bear's most popular and is described as a German Dunkel-inspired American amber lager that "looks dark and drinks light." That was accurate, and it was tasty. I understand why it's a favorite.

Bruce was curious about making his own review, although there were no beer tastings for the pup. He did get several French fries and burger bites. After all, hard work has its reward for dogs, too.

You can find more general information about Rainbow Mountain Preserve on the Land Trust of North Alabama website. To learn more about popular Alabama hiking trails and see more images and tips from other hikers, sign up for AllTrails. A basic membership is free, and you can access enhanced features through AllTrails+.

See the full menu of beer and bites from this awesome spot for a post-hike beer and burger on the Old Black Bear Brewing Company website and get current news on the Old Black Bear Brewing Company Facebook page.

Have you hiked Rainbow Mountain Loop or visited Old Black Bear Brewing Company in Madison, Alabama? We'd love to hear about your experiences at either or both!