Turkey Dinner And Beer: The Perfect Pairing

Turkey is a versatile dish that can be prepared in a multitude of ways, but it's not always easy to decide which drinks to serve alongside it. If you're a beer lover, there are several options to pair with your turkey dinner, from saisons and farmhouse ales to IPAs and stouts. The diverse array of flavours in a traditional turkey dinner, from the herb-filled stuffing to the cranberry sauce, means that a beer with a complex flavour profile is usually best, but not so overpowering that it detracts from the food.

Saison beers are a good choice for Thanksgiving

Saisons are fruity but not sweet, and not bitter. They have faint spiciness and flavours such as honey, hay, lemon, and pear. They typically have a dry finish and are refreshing to drink. In colour, they range from pale golden to deep amber, and they are hazy, medium-bodied, and effervescent.

Saisons were originally brewed in the French-speaking region of Belgium, Wallonia, to provide safe hydration for farmworkers during spring and summer. They were made seasonally and were low in alcohol, with an ABV of only about 3-3.5%. Today, farmhouse-style ales typically have an ABV of around 6% and are considered the most food-friendly beer style by many craft beer connoisseurs.

For Thanksgiving dinner, the beer you choose should be complex but not so much that it overpowers the food's flavours. Saison de Noel, for example, is engineered to complement rich holiday fare. So, if you're looking for a beer to pair with your Thanksgiving turkey, consider a Saison.

Try a coffee porter to finish your meal

If you're looking for a beer to finish off your turkey dinner, why not try a coffee porter?

Coffee porters are a great way to end your meal, especially if you're skipping the coffee and going straight to dessert. The roasted malts in the beer will complement the nutty, caramelised flavours of your turkey, as well as the sweetness of any desserts. The bitterness of the coffee will also help to cut through the richness of your meal, cleansing your palate.

If you're a fan of coffee, then a coffee porter is an excellent choice to round off your dinner. The beer style is known for its strong coffee and chocolate flavours, often with hints of caramel, toffee, and nuts. These flavours will enhance the savoury notes of your turkey dinner, especially if you've been generous with the seasoning.

Coffee porters are also a great choice if you're looking for something a little different to finish your meal. While a cup of coffee is a familiar way to end a feast, a coffee porter offers a unique take on this tradition. The beer's carbonation and bitterness provide a refreshing contrast to the heavy flavours of a turkey dinner, while still delivering that satisfying coffee kick.

So, if you're looking for a beer to finish off your turkey dinner, why not give a coffee porter a try? With its complex flavours and palate-cleansing qualities, it's the perfect way to end your meal on a high note.

Brut IPAs can be drunk alongside a champagne toast

Brut IPAs are a new style of India Pale Ale that combines the bone-dry aspect of a champagne with the bitterness of an IPA. They are the opposite of the popular, fruity IPAs that are usually enjoyed today. The name "Brut" refers to dry sparkling wines, such as Champagnes, and this style mimics some of its qualities. Brut IPAs are clear, straw-coloured, bone-dry, and effervescent. They are also hop-forward beers, although they are not oriented towards intense bitterness.

The secret to their dryness is the amylase or amyloglucosidase enzyme, which, when added after fermentation, converts residual sugars into fermentable sugars. This yields a lighter body and reduced sweetness in high-alcohol beers. Brut IPAs are therefore super dry, light, and refreshing, with a crisp, clean finish. They are an excellent choice for a celebratory champagne toast, and their dryness and crispness will likely continue winning over new fans.

When serving Brut IPAs, consider higher carbonation levels for a refreshing and visibly sparkling drink. They are best served in a glass, where their bubbly, golden appearance can be appreciated.

So, if you are looking for a beer to drink alongside a champagne toast, a Brut IPA is an excellent choice. It will not look out of place and will be a great alternative for both wine-loving beer drinkers and beer-drinking wine lovers.

Belgian Dubbel beers complement the tart cranberries and sweet yams

When it comes to choosing a beer to pair with your turkey dinner, you want something that will complement the diverse array of flavours on offer, from the tart cranberries to the sweet yams and, of course, the turkey itself. A Belgian Dubbel beer is an excellent choice for this.

Belgian Dubbel is a rich, malty beer with a complex palate. It often includes mild dark fruit flavours such as raisins, plums, and cherries, as well as caramelised sugar notes. These flavours make it a perfect match for the sweet and tart elements of cranberries and yams. The malt-forward taste of Belgian Dubbel provides a nice contrast to the tartness of cranberries, while also enhancing the sweetness of yams.

The roots of Belgian Dubbel lie in the monastic brewing traditions of Belgium, particularly associated with Trappist monasteries. It is crafted to be nourishing, and its ascetic qualities made it a staple for monks. Belgian Dubbel shares similarities with its lighter cousin, the Belgian Pale Ale, but sets itself apart with a stronger malty backbone, a darker hue, and greater depth in ester production due to different yeast strains used during fermentation.

Belgian Dubbel beers typically have a deep reddish-copper to medium brown colour, with a clear visage that can sometimes be slightly hazy. The head is often dense and mousse-like, ranging from off-white to light tan. The flavour profile is invitingly sweet without being overly sugary or heavy, and the finish usually leans towards dryness while retaining a hint of malt sweetness. The alcohol strength is noticeable to moderate, adding to the complexity without overwhelming the other flavours.

When pairing Belgian Dubbel with your turkey dinner, consider the following:

• The beer's sweetness will complement the yams and other sweet elements of the meal, such as honey-glazed carrots or sweet potato casserole.
• The mild dark fruit flavours of the beer will enhance the tartness of cranberries, creating a well-rounded taste experience.
• The beer's malty backbone will provide a nice contrast to the lighter flavours of the turkey meat, such as white meat or lighter gravy.

Farmhouse and brown ales are a good option for smoked turkey

If you're looking for a beer to pair with your turkey dinner, you're in luck—beer and food are a natural pairing, and beer is great to cook with and drink alongside poultry.

For a smoked turkey, you might want to consider a farmhouse or brown ale. These darker beers bring warmth to the dinner table, and many have a surprisingly light body that's also refreshing. Farmhouse ales are rich and complex, with spice notes and late-season fruit flavours. They're deliberately soured and carry a tangy touch, making them a great companion for the holiday table and a nice palate cleanser. Brown ales, meanwhile, often have a surprisingly light body that's refreshing.

If you want to go big and bold, a Scotch-style ale is a good choice for smoked turkey, but be sure to have something lighter in reserve as they're often high-point beers. For a unique pairing, try a lighter smoked beer, such as a Smokin' Ale by Goodwater Brewery, which can work with stuffing, meat, green beans, and starchy sides.

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