Beer And Thanksgiving: A Cultural Pairing

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, and for many, that means drinking alcohol. In the US, the night before Thanksgiving is known as Blackout Wednesday or Bar Night, with bars and restaurants experiencing a boost in sales as people returning home for the holidays catch up with friends. Beer is the drink of choice for many, with sales jumping by 270% on Thanksgiving Eve in 2016.

On Thanksgiving Day, beer remains a popular tipple, with some people even drinking it for breakfast. But with large family meals to prepare, it can be easy to forget to stock up on booze. Whether or not you can pop out to the shops to buy more depends on which state you live in, and some counties and parishes forbid the sale of alcohol on Thanksgiving.

Beer is a popular drink choice for Thanksgiving

There are many reasons why beer is a good choice for Thanksgiving. Firstly, it is versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of day, from a morning "hair of the dog" to a nightcap at the end of the night. Secondly, beer can complement and contrast the flavours of Thanksgiving dishes. For example, the medium body and mild fruit notes of a saison can complement the rich, earthy flavours of turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes, while also providing a refreshing crispness that cuts through the fat of the meal.

When it comes to pairing beer with Thanksgiving dinner, experts recommend selecting beers that won't overpower the meal. Blonde ales, American amber/red ales, and English or American brown ales are good options as they offer a nice balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. The carbonation and crispness of a saison can also help to cut through the richness of the food and refresh the palate. For those who want something a little stronger, Belgian Tripels are a good choice as they have enough alcohol to cut through the fats and creamy textures of the meal.

For dessert, a special pumpkin beer can be a fun choice, especially if you're a fan of pumpkin pie. Sweet imperial-strength pumpkin beers, such as Almanac Beer Co.'s Heirloom Pumpkin Barleywine, can add a throat-warming kick to your dessert. Alternatively, barley wines are a great choice for pairing with Thanksgiving desserts as their caramel flavours go well with apple, pumpkin, and nut pies.

People may drink beer from morning to night on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a day of celebration, and for many, that means drinking beer from morning to night. While some may opt for a "hair of the dog" to start the day, others might wait until the morning appetizers are served before cracking open their first cold one. The options for beer pairings are endless, with recommendations from brewers and beer experts alike.

For those who like to start the day with a drink, a stout is a perfect choice. Alesmith Speedway Stout is a blend of coffee and sweet roasted malt that tastes like a grown-up iced mocha latte. If you'd prefer to keep your morning drink a little more discreet, you can always pour it into a Starbucks cup. Alternatively, a coffee stout might be just the thing to get you going in the morning, and there are plenty to choose from, including Dieu Du Ciel! Péché Mortel, Stone Coffee Milk Stout, and Founders Breakfast Stout.

As the day progresses and the appetizers start to fill the house, it's time to switch to something crisp and refreshing. An IPA like Wicked Weed Pernicious is an excellent choice to sip or chug while watching football. The juicy fruit flavors of an IPA pair well with most appetizers, and the bitterness will cleanse your palate. If IPAs aren't your style, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from, such as Alpine Duet, Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA, or Tree House Green.

When it comes to the main event—dinner—a medium-bodied beer with mild fruit notes is an ideal complement to the rich, earthy flavors of traditional Thanksgiving dishes. A saison is a versatile option that can enhance the breadiness and herbal flavors of stuffing while contrasting the sweetness of roasted vegetables. Funkwerks Saison is a great choice, with its dry, crisp, and well-attenuated characteristics that cut through the fat of your Thanksgiving feast. Other recommended saisons include Boulevard Tank 7 and Allagash Saison.

As you move on to dessert, you might want to consider a beer that can accompany or even replace your slice of pie. Odell Friek is the perfect choice, with its upfront wine-like acidic note that blends into rich cherry and raspberry flavors. It's easy to drink and more "tart" than "sour," making it a delicious option. If you're looking for something to pair with a fruit pie, the fruit flavors of Odell Friek will blend beautifully. Alternatively, you could go for a sweet imperial pumpkin beer to pair with your pumpkin pie, such as Almanac Beer Co.'s Heirloom Pumpkin Barleywine or Southern Tier's Pumking.

Finally, as the night winds down, a barleywine is the perfect digestif to end your Thanksgiving day. Perennial Vermilion Barleywine is an excellent choice, with notes of black cherries, leather, molasses, raisin, figs, and dried apricots. It's like a liquid dark fruitcake in a glass. If you're looking for other barleywine options, Mad River John Barleycorn and AleSmith Old Numbskull are also great choices.

So, whether you're toasting with a morning stout or sipping a nightcap barleywine, there's a perfect beer for every moment of Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Eve is also a big drinking night

Thanksgiving Eve, also known as "Blackout Wednesday" or "Bar Night", has become a big drinking night, especially for young people who are back in their hometowns for the holiday. In 2016, sales jumped by 23% on the night before Thanksgiving compared to the previous Wednesday, with beer sales specifically increasing by 270%.

The consumption of alcohol on Thanksgiving Eve is often attributed to the fact that most people have the next day off and don't need to work or attend school. This makes it a popular night for binge drinking, especially among college-aged youth, who tend to push their drinking boundaries as a way to de-stress from school.

The increase in alcohol consumption on Thanksgiving Eve is not limited to beer, as liquor sales also rose by 113.5% from the previous Wednesday, indicating that Thanksgiving Eve drinkers are also interested in cocktails. However, wine sales only saw a slight increase of 4.5%, while wine by the glass sales actually decreased by 27%.

Thanksgiving Eve drinking can sometimes lead to dangerous situations, such as drunk driving. Police departments across the country are usually on high alert and warn consumers to stay off the roads if they don't need to drive.

While Thanksgiving Eve is a big drinking night, the celebration of Thanksgiving itself also often involves alcohol. Brewers and beer experts recommend various beers to pair with the traditional Thanksgiving meal, including saisons, brown ales, and Belgian Tripels. The versatile nature of these beers allows them to complement or contrast the rich, earthy flavors of dishes such as turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes.

Beer is a good pairing for Thanksgiving food

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting. It is also a time when beer can play a starring role, with its versatility and range of flavours offering the perfect pairing for the big day's food. From morning to night, a beer can be the ideal companion to the Thanksgiving experience.

For those who like to start the day with a hair of the dog, a stout can be the perfect breakfast beer. Alesmith Speedway Stout, for example, blends coffee and sweet roasted malt for a grown-up, creamy, chocolatey experience. Alternatively, a coffee stout could be the ideal morning pick-me-up.

As the day progresses and the appetizers start to come out, it's time to move on to something crisp and refreshing. An India Pale Ale (IPA) is a great choice here, with its juicy fruit flavours and refreshing bitterness. Wicked Weed Pernicious is one option, or you could try Alpine Duet, Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA, or Tree House Green.

When it comes to the main event, a medium-bodied saison can be a great choice to complement and contrast the rich, earthy flavours of dishes such as turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. The crisp, dry, and well-attenuated Funkwerks Saison, for instance, can help to cut through the fat of a Thanksgiving dinner. Other good options include Boulevard Tank 7, Allagash Saison, and Jolly Pumpkin Bam Bière.

For dessert, a fruity, tart beer can be a perfect pairing. Odell Friek, for example, has upfront wine-like acidic notes that meld into rich cherry and raspberry flavours. Alternatively, a sweet imperial-strength pumpkin beer can be a great choice, such as Almanac Beer Co.'s Heirloom Pumpkin Barleywine or Southern Tier's Pumking.

Finally, to end the night, a barley wine can be the perfect digestif. Perennial Vermilion Barleywine, for instance, offers notes of black cherries, leather, molasses, raisin, figs, and dried apricots. Other options include Mad River John Barleycorn and AleSmith Old Numbskull.

So, whether you're toasting with family or unwinding after a busy day of cooking, beer can be the perfect pairing for Thanksgiving food.

Beer is a good choice for Thanksgiving because it is versatile

For those who prefer a lighter option, blonde ales or American amber/red ales are good choices as they have a nice balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. On the other hand, Belgian Tripels have enough alcohol to cut through the fats of gravy, buttery flavours, and creamy mashed potatoes. They can also stand up to the strong flavours of Brussels sprouts and creamed onions.

If you're looking for something a little different, Bière de Garde is a traditional French beer that pairs well with turkey and gravy. Its soft malty caramel and toffee richness make it a perfect match for brown foods. And for dessert, a sweet imperial pumpkin beer or a barley wine can be a great choice to pair with pumpkin pie.

So, whether you're looking for a versatile beer to pair with your entire Thanksgiving meal or something more specific to complement each dish, beer is a good choice because of its versatility.

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