On Thursdays, there’s a place I like to go to quench my after-work beer thirst and partake in a bit of physical exercise. Although many would consider lifting a pint to and from your lips as exercise, I like to take it one step further and wall climb while I enjoy my beer.

In Costa Mesa, California, deep within the South Coast Collection (SoCo) shopping venue, is a small climbing shop called the Gear Co-op. Every Thursday, they entice craft beer drinkers, climbing enthusiasts, and everyone in between with their Free Beer and Bouldering night. It started out as a simple marketing ploy to get more people to come into the store, but with a little help from social media and word-of-mouth, the event has spread and now attracts all sorts of Orange County folks. I saw a few friends start checking into the place on Facebook and mentioning free beer, so I naturally had to scope it out for myself.

Towards the back of the store is a large climbing wall where visitors can grab a pair of climbing shoes and conquer a route of their choice. Once the adrenaline starts pumping and sweat starts to bead on your forehead, it’s time to indulge in a red solo cup of beer from the tap. The beer is tapped from an unmarked keg, and if you ask what beer it is, just about everyone will shrug and shake their heads in uncertainty. It is usually an Imperial IPA of some sort; hence it has been dubbed “Ninja IPA.” For those with an experienced craft beer palate, you might think it was Hop Ninja from Beachwood or Hoptimum from Sierra Nevada. But I think calling it Ninja IPA adds to the fun of the experience.

This is the part where I mention a precautionary warning – please drink responsibly and don’t climb if you start to feel tipsy. It’s all fun and games until someone thinks they can climb the Aggro Crag (random 90s reference) after drinking some heavy IPAs. 

In exchange for some Ninja IPA, the Gear Co-op just kindly asks that you donate to help support The Access Fund, a national advocacy organization that works to preserve the climbing environment and keep climbing areas open in the U.S.

I started making the event a regular Thursday habit. There’s nothing better than unwinding after work with some friends, enjoying a beer, and scaling a large climbing wall. The people working there have some great outdoor stories, and someone is always persuading you to spend a weekend out in Joshua Tree or to take an extended vacation to Mount Zion.

If you’re wondering what to do on a Thirsty Thursday and you’re in Orange County, just stop by the Gear Co-op on your way home. I’ll see you there.