When it comes to Thanksgiving, turkey is undeniably the star of the show. Wine also tends to get its time in the spotlight, but beer can elevate your meal to the next level as well. Whether you’re roasting, smoking, or frying your bird, there’s a perfect beer pairing to complement each cooking style – and side dish. Here’s a guide to the best turkey and beer pairings for your Thanksgiving feast.
Five Turkey and Beer Pairings for Your Thanksgiving Table
1. Classic Roasted Turkey and Amber Ale
Why it works: A classic roast turkey with crispy skin, herbs, and spices needs a beer that can stand up to its rich flavors without overpowering them. An amber ale fits the bill with a smooth, malty, slightly caramel-like flavor that provides just the right balance to a traditional roast turkey.
Recommended Pairing: Try a local amber ale with hints of caramel and a slightly toasted malt profile. The subtle sweetness will perfectly complement the turkey’s savory notes.
2. Herb-Rubbed Turkey and Saison
Why it works: This farmhouse ale is known for its peppery, fruity complexity that plays nicely with herbal notes like rosemary, thyme, sage, or other earthy herbs you may use to season your turkey. Saisons are also highly carbonated, helping to cleanse your palate between bites of hearty sides like green bean casserole or buttery rolls.
Recommended Pairing: A Saison beer with a strong herbal note, such as sage or rosemary, will pair beautifully with your herb-infused turkey and stuffing.
3. Deep-Fried Turkey and IPA
Why it works: Deep-fried turkey has an irresistible, crispy skin with a juicy, tender interior that pairs beautifully with the hoppy notes of an IPA. The IPA’s refreshing bitterness and carbonation cut through the fried turkey’s richness, providing a refreshing palate cleanse between bites.
Recommended Pairing: Opt for a citrus-forward or West Coast IPA to balance the heavier fried flavors. The tropical notes will add an extra layer of freshness, especially if you’re serving your turkey with a citrus glaze.
4. Smoked Turkey and Brown Ale
Why it works: Smoked turkey has a deep, rich flavor with a touch of char that deserves a beer with a similar depth. For this preparation, a brown ale is the way to go. With nutty, chocolatey, and lightly roasted flavors, a brown ale complements the turkey’s smokiness without overwhelming it.
Recommended Pairing: Choose a brown ale with notes of toffee or chocolate. The beer’s malty profile will enhance the smokey flavors, creating a balanced pairing that’s ideal for cold autumn days.
5. Maple-Glazed Turkey and Belgian Dubbel
Why it works: With its dark fruit, caramel, and subtle spice flavors, Belgian Dubbels are a fantastic match for the sweet and savory profile of a maple-glazed turkey. The beer’s slightly sweet and malty character brings out the flavors of the glaze, creating a harmonious pairing. Plus, the carbonation helps to keep your palate refreshed throughout the meal.
Recommended Pairing: Go for a Belgian Dubbel with deep caramel flavors. The slight sweetness and warm, malty character pair beautifully with maple flavors, adding a hint of richness to complement the turkey’s glaze.
Beer Pairings for Thanksgiving Sides & Desserts
Turkey may be the star of the show, but let’s not forget about the side dishes and desserts:
– Stuffing and Belgian Tripel: The complex herbal notes of stuffing, especially with sage or thyme, pair well with a Belgian Tripel. Tripels have spicy, fruity notes that enhance the flavors in stuffing.
– Mashed Potatoes and Pilsner: A classic pilsner, light and crisp, offers a palate cleanse between bites of rich, buttery mashed potatoes.
– Cranberry Sauce and Sour Ale: A tart, fruity sour beer is a great match for cranberry sauce, echoing the tanginess and adding a bright burst of flavor.
– Pumpkin Pie and Stout: Rich and decadent, stout pairs beautifully with pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and even chocolate and fruit-based desserts.
Create a Thanksgiving Pairing Flight with The Growler Guys
If you’re hosting a beer-loving crowd this Thanksgiving, set up a small pairing flight for guests to sample throughout the meal. Serve each beer in smaller pours to let everyone try a bit of each style as they move from appetizers to the main event and on to dessert. Stop into your local Growler Guys to pick up your favorites, or ask our knowledgeable staff for their recommendations. Break tradition this year – swap the wine for well-paired beer, and cheers to a delicious Thanksgiving!
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