I do love a beer after a nice bike ride. Or a paddling session, run or swim, on occasion.

In case you needed another reason to toss back a cold one, check out the newest release from Zilker Brewing Company — a canned version of its Parks & Rec brew, a limited-edition beer that honors Zilker Park’s 100th anniversary. A portion of Parks & Rec sales benefits the Austin Parks Foundation’s Zilker fund, which helps pay for long-term updates and maintenance of the Zilker playscape.

So drink a beer, build a better playscape.

The beer — a crisp, citrusy blend of four hop varieties — debuted on taps around town last month. I sampled it at the Draught House Pub & Brewery last week. It’ll be available starting Wednesday at H-E-B, Central Market, Whole Foods, Spec’s and other local retailers.

"We chose the pale ale style as a foundation, then we added a really unique combination of hops that are bright and citrusy and cleanse and refresh the palate," Zilker Brewing Company founder Patrick Clark says. "It’s definitely meant to be enjoyed outside."

A happy hour to celebrate the release is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Yeti flagship store, 220 S. Congress Ave.

Clark, his brother Forrest Clark and their childhood friend Marco Rodriguez founded Zilker Brewing Company in 2015 as a home-brewing operation in a garage. They named it after old-time local businessman and politician Andrew Zilker, who in 1917 donated more than 350 acres of his private property to be used as public parkland. That Zilker had ties to the beverage industry through an ice-making business and bottling company sealed the deal.

"Now we’re excited to continue Andrew Zilker’s spirit of philanthropy by donating a portion of the proceeds from the Parks & Rec to the Austin Parks Foundation," Clark says.

The Austin Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to maintain and improve Austin’s parks system through public and private partnerships. Since 2006, it has given more than $2.5 million in community grants to the greater Austin area.

Clark, who grew up going to concerts at Zilker Park and swimming at Barton Springs, knows the perfection of a cold beer after a long run. He used to run with a group from Rogue Running and has a marathon or two under his belt.

"It’s been a year or two, but I just remember that feeling after training on a Saturday. You’d get up at 5:30 a.m. and run 18 or 20 miles and be back by 10 a.m., when most people are just getting started on their day. You really deserve whatever you’re going to do that day," he says.

Parks & Rec beer, he says, quenches the thirst after a good, quality workout. "It kind of goes back to the flavor profile we were looking for — some beers and styles don’t pair well after you’ve had a lot of activity or are outside in warmer temperatures," he says.

This one does. And even the packaging lends itself to outdoor consumption. "It’s very packable. You can hike with them, and they’re more recyclable than glass bottles. They’re more acceptable in outdoor places," Clark says.

For more information about the yearlong Zilker 100 celebration, visit zilker100.org.

Bike Month continues

In other beer news, Bike Month lasts through May, and that means you’ve got two more chances to score free beer at St. Elmo Brewing Co., just by riding your bike there.

Tell your bartender that you arrived on two wheels, and you’ll get a free half-pour of beer between 4 and 11 p.m. every Wednesday during May.

Offerings include the Angus dry stout, tropical Slate American IPA and Evangeline French Saison. Don’t drink alcohol? Opt for the house-made soda. Bring your four-legged friend, too. The patio is dog-friendly.

St. Elmo Brewing Co. is located at 440 E. St. Elmo Road, G-2, in the Yard development off South Congress Avenue.

Paddling for a cause

Tyler’s Dam That Cancer, the Flatwater Foundation’s annual 21-mile stand-up paddle and fundraising party, is set for June 12.

Head to the lawn of the Lower Colorado River Authority offices at 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., adjacent to Hula Hut, to cheer the paddlers on as they come to shore at about 5:30 p.m. The party starts at 6 p.m. and includes raffles, music and food. Those who make a $200 or more donation get VIP status — and free food.

Last year, 160 paddlers raised more than $500,000 at the event. This year’s goal is $600,000.

The Austin-based Flatwater Foundation is dedicated to helping cancer patients and their loved ones get mental health therapy and family support. The nonprofit organization helps provide psychological counseling and encourages people to exercise and get outdoors as a way to cope with a cancer diagnosis.

Besides the annual paddle boarding event, the organization partners with the fitness and health communities and works to break the stigma associated with mental health support. For more information, go to flatwaterfoundation.org. For more information about the event, go to tylersdtc.com.