It was many hours later and I hardly considered it a recovery drink I drank the beers for the taste, not because I was thirsty. Immediately after my ride (on the drive home) I drank about a liter or so of water in addition to the liter I drank during my ride so I figured I'd be fine. I'm pretty sure it wasn't thirst I was feeling-- I think Veronica is right-- I was probably craving more protein. I felt the same sense of hunger while I was drinking the beers. Anyway, there's probably not a lot of teetotalers (including my parents/brother) who I could justify two beers to I just love a delicious beer from time to time-- it's a treat!