Beer is OK - Remember that it is generaly 95% water. The hops can be soporiphic though so you may want to try cider instead. But check the strength if it is farmhouse stuff! Remember that heavy manual labourers used to drink the 'small beer' (around 3% abv) all day. The water rehydrates you. The alcohol is absorbed into the system as energy faster than pure glucose. No good for todays GI concious of course...

:D