Perfect pairings: New book explores Texas hikes and craft brews

If you’re looking to boost your fitness while enjoying the great outdoors, hiking might just be the perfect fit. Two experts from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health—Regents Professor Jay Maddock, PhD, and adjunct assistant professor Debra Kellstedt, PhD—have written all about this popular pastime in their book, “Texas Hikes and Brews: A Rambler’s Guide to a Perfect Day.” Set to be published by Texas A&M University Press, the book will be available in late November.

“Texas Hikes and Brews” covers 24 hikes in different parts of Texas together with a recommended craft brewery to enjoy after each hike. The book starts with hikes within a short drive of College Station and expands outward to hikes near Austin and the Texas Hill Country, the Houston area and West Texas.

“Texas is not well known for hiking and has a relatively new craft beer scene,” Maddock said. “So, this book is really about appreciating great things about Texas.”

Maddock said their book started as a collection of photographs and notes on hikes he, Kellstedt and friends took during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all felt shut in, so we started going on some hikes,” he said.

Serving more as a travelogue than a how-to guide, the book builds on Maddock’s and Kellstedt’s research into health and nature. Hiking is a great form of physical activity and gets people out into nature according to the authors.

Research shows that spending time in nature can improve mood and mental health and strengthen immune function. At the same time, hiking with other people can offer other health benefits.

“We talk a lot about the physical and mental health benefits,” said Kellstedt. “Social connection is really important for overall well-being.”

Although the book covers hikes in the popular destination, Big Bend National Park, other sections of the book are centered on locations that Kellstedt refers to as more “off the beaten path.” For instance, the book doesn’t include Enchanted Rock State Park but does feature Sea Rim State Park near Beaumont and Brazos Bend State Park south of Houston.

The authors included breweries in their book as something readers can choose to do after a hike. Maddock said that many breweries can be seen as an extension of the outdoors and that many are family friendly places you can bring children and dogs.

Kellstedt, who is also an extension specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, focuses more on the practice of health and nature. As such, she has been working on programs to get more Texans active and out in nature. She said hikes such as those outlined in this book can serve as inspiration for people looking for something fun to do outside.

“We’re developing programming with AgriLife Extension that can be used in counties around the state,” she said.

Maddock and Kellstedt will sign copies of their book from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Barnes & Noble in the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus and at the KinderHill Brew Lab in Bryan from 5 to 7 p.m.  Friday, Dec. 5. “Texas Hikes and Brews” is available for order on the Texas A&M University Press website.