There are so many reasons to love this season! Pumpkin patches, fall hikes, cozy fires, corn mazes, seasonal brews, family time, or patiently waiting all day to finally dive into that Thanksgiving meal. It’s a time to give thanks to all the important friends and family in ours lives, and what better way to say “thank you” than to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for all your guests!
Just don’t forget the beer! Better yet, take your Thanksgiving to the next level by pairing it with our hand-crafted and award-winning beer!
Those of us at Old Yale Brewing can probably all agree that Thanksgiving is just not the same without generous amounts of food, delicious beer, and even better company. That is why we decided to put together a Thanksgiving Food & Beer Pairing Blog for you and your loved ones to discover new flavours while you feast on your favourite holiday foods!
So, let’s get into it shall we!
Stuffing
Beer Pairing: Sasquatch Stout
There is no doubt that the stuffing is an essential part to any Thanksgiving dinner, you just simply can’t go without it! It’s nice and crisp and moist all at the same time, and maybe even loaded up with cheese and bacon! The ideal beer pairing to this OH SO YUMMY comfort food is our Sasquatch Stout. The chocolate and expresso notes in this stout will be the perfect companion to your stuffing dish.
Pro Tip: Try our Bacon IPA Cheese Stuffing Recipe
Turkey
Beer Pairing: River Valley Amber
The turkey is definitely the star of the show, the center piece of the table, and what we have been prepared to indulge in all day. It’s crispy on the outside and packed with juicy flavours of garlic and fresh herbs on the inside. Light or dark meat, whichever your heart desires, it’s got the best of both worlds. There is just one thing missing and from this dish, and it’s our River Valley Amber. The smooth and roasted malts in this beer will compliment the natural richness of the turkey so well, it will leave you coming back for more and more!
Pro Tip: If you want to make sure you have enough turkey to feed all your guests, a good rule of thumb is about 1 1/2 lbs of turkey per person.
Roasted Ham
Beer Pairing: Knotty Blonde Ale
This one is for all the non-turkey lovers out there, or for all the meat lovers who just can’t justify having only one kind of protein on the table! A sweet and juicy roasted ham will do the trick just fine. Nothing makes a ham more delicious than the mouthwatering and sticky glaze on top. We suggest pairing it with our crisp, clean and straightforward Knotty Blonde Ale! The slightly tropical notes in this light beer will pair nicely with the sweetness of the ham, while still offering a refreshing finish.
Okay, now that we’ve hit the traditional mains, and dare we say obvious choices, let’s move onto the satisfying side dishes that will bring something extra special to the dinner table…
Mashed Potatoes
Beer pairing: Cold Brew Black Lager
These are an absolute staple, every table needs to experience the comfort of fluffy mashed potatoes! Full of melted butter and just the right amount of spices, this classic dish can accompany any Thanksgiving entrée. And let us tell you that the creaminess of the potatoes paired with our smooth Cold Brew Black Lager will fit the bill perfectly. With hints of dark chocolate, caramel and apple notes, this Lager is undeniable best enjoyed with mashed potatoes.
Cranberry sauce
Beer pairing: Black Currant Ginger Sour
Whether you make your cranberry sauce from scratch or buy it store bought, it’s flavourful and exceptionally delicious! The sweet and tanginess pairs SO well with the deep dark fruit flavours and earthiness of our Black Currant Ginger Sour. You gotta give this one a try!
Green Beans
Beer pairing: Fraser Valley Lager
It’s time for some crisp green beans! They are a wickedly good addition to any meal and are very healthy! They require little time and effort, and taste so fresh. We couldn’t think of a more fitting beer paring than our easy drinking Fraser Valley Lager. Paired together, they provide light and refreshing flavours, creating an ideal balance.
Glazed Carrots
Beer pairing: Head Shaker Honey Lager
We’ve got to throw in a second vegetable! Carrots are a go-to side that will offer a natural sweetness and will bring brightness and colour to the table. There are also so many ways to jazz them up as well! We’ve got you covered for this beer pairing. It may seem like an obvious choice, but our crisp and mellow Head Shaker Honey Lager will compliment this dish so finely.
Pro Tip: Using brown sugar and butter will caramelize the carrots, giving them a desirable sweet glaze.
Now that we’ve covered the mains and side plates, let’s dive into our favourite fall dish that will make the perfect finish to you Thanksgiving meal!
Pumpkin Pie
Beer pairing: Himalayan Salted Caramel Porter
Pumpkin pie… AKA the one and only desert. There’s just no resisting that perfectly flakey crust and creamy spiced filling. Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without the smooth and velvety texture of a pumpkin pie! Paired with our sweet and slightly salty Himalayan Salted Caramel Porter, you will realize there was NO other choice.
Pro Tip: Adding whipped cream to you pumpkin pie is a given, then sprinkling a little bit of nutmeg on top is just “chefs kiss”.
There you have it friends. We hope our beer pairing suggestions will help inspire you to take us along on you Thanksgiving adventure!
Seriously though, write these down or take a screenshot before you head out to Local Harvest, Hofstede’s Country Barn, Fraser Valley Meats, or any of your favourite local suppliers! You’re friends, family and your taste buds will thank you…
Cheers!