As families gather around the table to enjoy lots of delicious food this month, we want to make sure beer is part of the presentation. Because we are very thankful for beer!
And given the broad offerings of a traditional Thanksgiving Day table, it may seem overwhelming to choose beer styles that work well with a majority of the foods. But we are here to help! Something to remember is that many Thanksgiving dishes are prepared in the oven. Think turkey, pies, casseroles and sweet potatoes. Food cooked in the oven experiences browning and caramelization, just like darker beers that come in amber and brown colored.
So let’s start there!
Belgian Dubbel
The Belgian Dubbel is high in carbonation, malty and moderately strong. These beers can lift the richness of gravy and mashed potatoes from your palate, effectively getting you ready for the next bite.
Flavor-wise, it offers raisin and dried fruit flavors, as well as clove-like spiciness that will help complement the entire meal but particularly the cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and turkey. It’s also not too sweet, which means you can enjoy it throughout the meal.
American Brown Ale
The browned malt flavors of caramel, chocolate and other toasty qualities work well with gravy’s browned flavors, dishes cooked in the oven and most cranberry sauces.
Its restrained hop profile can help tame the meal, lessening your palate fatigue.
Belgian Golden Strong Ale
The base malt in a Belgian Golden Strong Ale is a Pilsner malt, which will be reminiscent of graham crackers. These flavors work well with mild white meat rather than dark meat because of dark meat’s iron components.
Stout
Finally, for the richest of flavors, try a stout with decadent desserts and coffee. This will pair excellently with pumpkin pie, chocolate cake or an espresso.
Of course, Druthers Brewing Company would be honored to be on your table for your Thanksgiving celebration! We suggest our Fist of Karma Hoppy Brown Ale or Oatmeal Stout to pair with your family’s fixins.
Cheers!