img_0168

Most mountain bikers know this truth: one of the best places to enjoy a beer is at the top of a hill with a trail to follow. Beer is, however, awkward to carry, heavy, temperamental when shaken, and precious. All good reasons to spend the time and money to get the best way of ferrying it around.

img_0172

At first glance and from a distance, this looks just like an up-cycled single-layered Thomson handlebar bag with a strap for a bike geek to ferry around some bike parts, like some kind of punk rock DIY musette. However, closer inspection reveals details which a very considered Stealth Bike Bags (aka Michael Trudgen) put a lot of thought into this beer-toting piece of bespoke engineering.
img_0175
The Beer Holster is insulated to keep your brews cool to quench your parched palate at the top of the hill better, customised long and slim to match it’s 7’8” owner (and carry six cans handily), and has probably a better strap than most messenger bags do.
img_0171
The holster is a great example of the thought and care that goes in to the wider range of bikepacking bags that Stealth make, and is (in my opinion) a better way of ensuring beers are less shaken compared to a top-tube mounted solution. If you’re into locally crafted, well-made, and carefully thought-out kit, check out their online shop. Who knows, if you ask nicely enough you might even be able to get a customised Beer Holster in a fabric of your choice.
img_0181

The Beer Holster even closer, and a label to look out for.