Wine and food pairings typically get most of the attention as the first big fall holiday approaches, but if you’re looking to be a little different, the Thanksgiving meal is also a perfect time to shake things up and shift your gaze towards the beer aisle. We have some fun and delicious suggestions to include as part of your menu that:
* You won’t find in the grocery store.
* Are styles probably outside your typical beer rotation.
* Provide a great way to share new taste pairings with friends and family via a lower alcohol content than wine.
Thanksgiving feasts usually encompass a wide range of menu flavors, so rather than providing specific dish and beer pairings, we’ve broken recommendations down by course instead to make it more practical. We've also included a local favorite and a non-alcoholic option for each section. Still have questions? Just ask one of our expert staff in-store and they'll be happy to help you pick the perfect beers for your holiday table!
STARTERS: Cheese and charcuterie plates, vegetable platters, dips, sausage balls, wings, etc. The start of most holiday gatherings usually include a wide diversity of flavors so look for beers able to bridge the range of finger food options. Think on the lighter side – Pilsner, Lager, Witbier, Berliner Weisse, Hefeweizen – styles that are crisp, refreshing and cleansing for your taste buds. Consider:
- Wiseacre Tiny Bomb - $9.99 / 12oz 6-pack
- Allgash White - $13.99 / 16oz 4-pack
- Creature Comforts Bibo Pilsner (Local!) - $11.99 / 12oz 6-pack
- Weihenstephaner Original - $12.99 / 12oz 6-pack
- Clausthaler Original Non-alcoholic - $9.99 / 12oz 6-pack
MAIN COURSE: Ask any beer connoisseur about what to pair with a special main course and almost all of them are likely to mention Belgians, Farmhouse Ales or Saisons. These beers are subtly fruity and earthy, have gentle hop bitterness and bready malt flavors that make them incredibly agile. Their high carbonation adds a light crispness that help to refresh the palate so you finish your plate and go back for seconds. Dry ciders are also a fantastic option. Pick up any one of these and you’ll be a star at the table:
- Saison Dupont (#1 definitive pick!) - $18.99 / 375mL 4-pack
- Chimay Red - $13.99 / 375mL 4-pack
- Bold Monk All is Vanity (Local!) - $17.99 / 500mL
- Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouche Brut de Normandie - $13.99 / 750mL
- Athletic Run Wild Non-Alcoholic IPA - $10.99 / 12oz 6-pack
DESSERT: Thanksgiving dessert = pies.... lots of pies. Pumpkin, pecan, sweet potato and apple pies all pair well with stouts and porters, particularly those with coffee flavors. These dark beers hold up well against the rich sweetness and help accent fall spices. A different but equally fantastic option is to sip on a sweet cider with your slice of pie. The smooth, silky and often caramelly tones are perfect partners for the final course of the day. A few we suggest:
- Hubbard's Cave Coffee & Cakes - $16.99 / 16oz 4-pack
- Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale - $16.99 / 12oz 4-pack
- Equilibrium Even Caramel Sundaes - $21.99 / 500mL
- Atlanta Hard Cider: Ginger (Local!) - $13.99 / 16oz 4-pack
- Untitled Art Chocolate Milk Dark Brew Non-alcoholic - $15.99 / 12oz 6-pack
The NEW-NEW
HOPS
Beer Zombies Zombie Slaycation - sour IPA
Mason Ale Works Citra Claws - hazy IPA
Tripping Animals The Mighty Bird - hazy IPA
Two Tides Citra & Idaho 7 Juice - hazy IPA
Two Tides Try Again - IPA
Weldwerks Transmountain Diversion - hazy IPA
LIGHT & WHEATS
Piedmont Georgia on My Mind - Pale ale
Piedmont Rabid Dog - Helles Lager
Piedmont Love is Love - Witbier
SOUR
Piedmont Rain King - fruited Sour
Piedmont Tis the Day - tart Saison
Tripping Animals Yabadabadu - fruity pebbles smoothie sour
Weldwerks The Nerdy Professor - Sour ale with strawberry & grape
DARK
Pohjala Must Kuld - Porter with smooth honey notes
Pohjala Twisted Biscuit - Baltic Porter
Tripping Animals A Trip to Heaven - imperial Stout
Weldwerks Little Man Salted Oreo Stout - ice cream Stout
SEASONAL - Check out our Holiday Seasonal section!
