They are partial to Guinness . Many athletes say that there is nothing so satisfying as a cool brew after a hard workout. A tasty pint or two mellows the mood and rewards the effort. But as far as exercise recovery is concerned, beer has no special food and hydration value. It is low in vitamins and minerals, and most beer calories come from alcohol.
Alcohol is also a diuretic.
It increases fluid loss through urination, therefore actually slowing hydration and prolonging recovery. Still, to be fair, there is a preliminary study supporting some nutritional benefit to the suds. Scientists at the TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute, The Netherlands, found that beer boosts blood concentrations of vitamin B6. This vitamin is required for the processing of protein in the body. Protein, among its other functions, forms the structural base for our muscles and other body tissue.