Thanksgiving Pairing Suggestions: Beer and the Bird

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Thanksgiving falls on the 26th this year--that's next week if you don't have a calendar. The tradition of Thanksgiving is to celebrate togetherness with family, friends, and even complete strangers. A good Thanksgiving, in our opinion, also includes some times for reflection when you can enjoy a mixed drink or a glass of wine. And while wine and martinis might seem the best options with turkey (martinis pair best with dark meat, by the way), there's a missed pairing option: the craft beer.

To get things started, here's a primer for those willing to visit a local brewery or bottleshop during their time of thanks.

Traditional Turkey: (See Poultry) Classically referred to as a stupid bird, you’d be an idiot to pair this with white wine. Instead consider a Bigtime Atlas Amber, Pyramid Broken Rake, Elysian Fields Yuzu Strong Golden Ale, Two Beers Immersion Amber, or a Elliott Bay West Side Brown.

Traditional Stuffing: Whether you use a chicken or turkey stock to manufacture this familiar dish, you should consider a nice lager such as a Baron Pilsner, Elysian Loki, or Maritime Old Seattle.

Stay tuned for the next post where Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, and Black Olives are paired with something unexpected. Cheers.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Paul Orchard in Food on November 18, 2009 2:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Paul Orchard

The larger issue with doing a write up on food pairings and keeping it limited to local breweries (in Seattle) is that you often forget some.

Turkey, also might go well with some Pike Monk's Uncle Tripel. I will Have to research that one since I haven't paired turkey (dark or white meat) with a Tripel like Pike's before.

Paul Orchard

Meech,

thanks for the reminder on the availability of the 'Rake. I know the hardest part about the industry is that once it (the beer) leaves the brewery it's up to the grocer when they pull something off the shelf. Thanks also for the suggestive alternate beer (ref. Snow Cap).

Happy Holidays

Meech

Hi Paul,

Thanks for including Pyramid in your pairings! However, just wanted to drop a note that we no longer have Broken Rake as one of our offerings. Our notorious winter warmer, Snow Cap, would certainly do the trick pairing deliciously with a traditional turkey dinner. Check it out at www.PyramidBrew.com.

Life is what you pour into it.

Cheers,

Meech

Pyramid Breweries :: Seattle, WA