Turkey Day is tomorrow, and I’m finally getting around to planning the beer portion of the proceedings. Last year I broke the day down into three beer courses: before the meal, the feast itself, and the afterglow. I’m thinking along the same lines this year, with a few different beers and even *gasp* a little wine!
Before the meal, we’re serving a smattering of sharp cheeses and crackers, just enough to stimulate everyone’s appetite, but nothing to load up on. Because the cheeses are going to pack a flavor punch, I’m looking to pair them with a beer that’s malty and mellow, like an Old English Ale. I have some Great Divide Hibernator Ale in the fridge that’ll do just the trick.
For the feast itself, I have our now-traditional bottle (or two) of the Bruery’s Autumn Maple, an earthy treat that always plays nice with traditional Thanksgiving flavors. It’ll be on the table at room temperature to make sure its sweet thread of maple and yams is in full effect. I’m also serving a bottle of Italian Prosecco, a sparkling and dry white wine that’ll be just right for those at the table who prefer wine. I think I’ll have both, as I actually enjoy Prosecco – it’s almost like beer!
After the meal, I’ll be looking to settle in with a nice stout. I have a Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti that should be just perfect, with peppery kick acting as a palate cleanser after all those laborious hours of gorging myself. Poor me. 😉
So there you have – it’s a lot like last year, which is how I roll. My wife was doing some menu planning the other day asked me what I wanted for Thanksgiving. I responded with “Thanksgiving! That’s what I want for Thanksgiving! Sheesh!” That’s how I like my holidays, same as they’ve ever been.
We hope you all have a great Thanksgiving this year – be safe, play nice with others, and take a minute to think about all the stuff you have to be thankful about. If you can’t think of anything, there’s always craft beer. Cheers!
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Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
For us, it’ll have to be my homebrewed Citra IPA (it’s what’s in the fridge).
It’s that or a bottle of Heineken or Corona (left over from Cinco de Mayo).
Well then home brew Citra it is!!
Seriously.
Sounds good Jim.
After reading a beer tour article on-line, I decided to try some brews from DE’s “other brewery’s”; i.e., Fordham and Evolution. So I’ll be bringing both Fordham’s Tavern Ale and Evolution’s Lucky 7 Porter to the feast. Knowing my son-in-law, I expect that he’ll have a few craft beer surprises on hand as well. I’ll probably finish off the evening with a bottle of Weyerhauser’s Old Heathen Imperial Stout or Lancaster’s Milk Stout.
Have you previously tried the Old Heathen, Wayne?
ooh, that’s a good one, Jeff. But I always wind up grabbing the Heresy instead – Weyerbacher makes great winter beers!
Honestly, I was disappointed with the Old Heathen. It felt more like a plain old stout than an imperial. Mouthfeel was very thin, and the flavor wasn’t nearly as robust as I had anticipated.
I’ve actually never had it – why bother when there’s Heresy with its barrel-aged goodness?
Also, I have yet to try the Heresy or Tiny, though I’ve heard good things.
Both are good, and Tiny is actually pretty great when you look at the price (or at least from what I recall – it’s a bargain!)
Hi Jeff;
Yes I have. Its a bit higher abv (8%) than I prefer w/ dinner but fine for sipping by the hearth.
To be honest, I have yet to try an American-brewed stout with the chewiness I prefer–they all seem more like porters to me. Right now I have 5 stouts in the beer fridge: the Old Heathen, Ten-Fidy, Dominion Oak Barrel Stout, Evolution’s Lucky 7 (I really like this one btw); and Lancaster Milk Stout. None of them have the mouth feel of Guinness.
Also, since you’re a self-professed hop-head, you might want to try the Fordham Tavern Ale–I was impressed with how hoppy it was (and I too am a hop-head.)
Belay that last, I misspoke. Its 4 stouts–the Lucky 7 is a porter.
I don’t believe I’ve seen anything from Fordham floating around, but I’ll keep an eye out.
My refrigerator currently contains Victory’s HopDevil, Golden Monkey, and Storm King…no specific game plan in place…though I was deeply disappointed with the lack of Old Horizontal on the shelf…and yeah…Victory is my new love lol.
I have a sixer of Golden Monkey in my fridge as well. I’m sure it’ll meet its end sometime over the holiday!
Sipping one as we speak.
Nice! Enjoy it and your holiday as well. Sounds like you’re already working on that!
Will do. You and Don do the same. Will you be together for Thanksgiving? This is actually my first proper tasting of Golden Monkey, though it’s the third time I’ve purchased it. The previous two times I purchased singles. The first time was a flat dud. The second time I poured it and promptly fell asleep in my recliner. Third time’s a charm I suppose. I’m liking this, but Storm King is my weekly purchase, and I’m really hoping that I can find some Dark Intrigue here in Maine, as it’s Storm King aged in bourbon barrels. Sorta fits your blog, no?
Don is in Idaho and I’m in New Jersey for the holiday, so we’ll have several states between us.
Storm King was one of my first loves in the craft beer world, but eventually the hop profile wore me down and I turned to smoother offerings. It’s still my wife’s go to.
I had Dark Intrigue last year, and it was pretty good, but still a little gonzo on the hop for me (but that didn’t slow me down!0: https://beerandwhiskeybros.com/2010/12/14/victory-dark-intrigue-how-geeky-victory-can-be/
As my buddy Frank and I always say, Storm King is the last beer you’ll have that night because you won’t be able to taste the rest!
I guess it appeals to me because IPAs are my first love, I’m a total hophead, so the hoppiness is very welcome for me. North Coast’s Old Rasputin is still my favorite imperial stout, but money is tight, and my thirst is mighty. I REEEAAAAALLY hope that Dark Intrigue makes it to my favorite beer store. I will buy two bottles a week until it’s gone; one to drink and one to age. Also, something I forgot to mention, my brother has been working in San Diego, and is flying home tonight, and may have a bottle of Pliny in his suitcase for me. I will be happy as all hell if this actually happens.
Another fantastic Russian imperial stout I tried recently was Blaecorn Unidragon from Clown Shoes. It has a significant hop presence, though not to the degree of Storm King, and it is really, really good. I think you and your wife may like it quite a lot.
I’ll have to keep and eye out – I’m not sure I’ve seen Clown Shoes in these parts…
Just picked up a few growlers of Sun King Beer!