Athens, Georgia, roughly an hour east of Atlanta, is home to the Terrapin Beer Co., Copper Creek Brewing Co., and the greatly anticipated Creature Comforts. This small college town is renowned for housing nearly 80 bars, taverns, and nightclubs in less than a square mile (as well as a limitless supply of the University of Georgia’s Greek community to populate them). Anybody who has ever been in the city on a football game day can testify that it is an unforgettable experience, as thousands of fans swarm from hundreds of miles around to tailgate and join in the revelry of UGA football. However, one nearby attraction known to a much smaller crowd is the Broad River, home to one of the best summer (and even early fall) experiences ever: Kabrewing.

Kabrewing is simple. All you need is a group of friends, beer, and a kayak. Hopefully, you know where to find beer and friends. In the event you cannot find friends, find beer and the friends should follow. Kayaks can be easily rented from either the Broad River Outpost or The Sandbar for $15 on weekdays or $20 on weekends. Then just throw your beer in coolers (also provided by these locations) and hit the river for roughly 6 miles of relaxation and fun.

A trip down the Broad River can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending primarily upon your own desire for paddling vs. drinking. For most of the river, paddling is optional, though it is strongly advised as you navigate some small rapids interspersed throughout the trip (unless you prefer the experience in reverse).

Kabrewing lends itself to all kinds of beers. You might want to go with something from Heavy Seas as you drift lazily down the river. Then there’s Terrapin for coasting with the turtles, or maybe a Dogfish with the catfish.

Kabrewing is not just about drifting and drinking – it’s also about “kaviewing,” and the dramatic riverside rock formations provide plenty of opportunity for that. One notable attraction on the river is “Redneck Rock” (also known by some as Redneck Riviera). This large outcropping is the perfect place to stop, enjoy a few beers, and meet some fellow kabrewers. Those feeling particularly bold can climb up and leap from a telephone pole jutting magically 8 feet over a deep section of rapids. And you celebrate your plunge with a Watership Brown Ale from the Red Hare Brewing Co. while you dry out.

Even in the fall, it gets hot on the river and it’s important to stay hydrated. A cold wheat beer might be what’s required and what better than Waterkeeper Ale from Atlanta’s own SweetWater Brewing? As a double bonus, proceeds from this beer go to the “Save Our Water” campaign. SweetWater partnered up with the WaterKeeper Alliance and has been a huge proponent of helping clean up fresh water sources, such as the Chattahoochee River. After all, water is the main ingredient in any beer and that should be as good a reason as any to help keep it clean.

Kabrewing is all about a river, good company, and good beer. But there’s one major rule: NO GLASS. Nobody wants their trip down the river turned into a trip to the emergency room due to a broken bottle and why would you bring bottles to begin with? It used to be that finding craft beers in cans was rare -but not any longer. And with this recent explosion of canned craft beers, kabrewing is rapidly becoming a much more delicious and “environmentally friendly” experience.

So next time you’re down near Athens, consider Kabrewing. Grab some friends and some serious beer and head out to the Broad River and enjoy early fall the right way.