A Thanksgiving Beer Strategy to Make ’21 A Little More Fun
We had such a great time last Thanksgiving that we invited ourselves back over for another round. Once again, we’re ready to ensure that you and your loved ones have a festive holiday celebration by offering a beer to compliment, or defuse, any celebration situation. From football games to staggered binge feasting there are hundreds of potential AVBC beverage pairing combinations, and as Benjamin Franklin once said (and we assume he was referring to beer here): “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So, go ahead and grab as many 12oz cans of AVBC as you can carry because we’ve got the remedy for any potential holiday misfires; from burned pies to your quirky uncle Larry.
Pregame Pick
Start off your afternoon on the gold standard. Boonville Gold is a refreshing golden ale that’s light and dry and built for easy drinking. Think of it as Turner Classic Movies for your palate; it’s beer flavored beer for folks who believe that there’s no point in improving upon an original. From tossing the pigskin in the backyard or tossing back a mouthful of pretzels while streaming It’s A Wonderful Life, this beer will leave you feeling grateful without spoiling your appetite for appetizer destruction.
Going Remote with Relatives
While some of us are back up to in-person celebrations others are still opting for a digital connection again this year. Whether it’s dropped Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth earbuds that just won’t connect (spoiler alert they’re probably muted) video calls with family can go any direction. Hopefully, they’re a great chance to catch up with grandma but often times these conversations leave us feeling like we’re behind the Genius Bar at the Apple Store. As such, it’s important to have a beer on hand that can adapt to any situation. This year we recommend a Holy Gose. A) Because it’s super fun to shout if you get frustrated and B) It’s a gateway Gose with a bright, golden color and tight creamy head and earthy undertones with a hint of lemon zest and tropical fruit. As a bonus we kept it low-calorie and low-carb so you’ll still have more room for dinner.
The Main Event
Just like our favorite TV shows, we prefer our Thanksgiving meal in bingeable episodes that keep us returning for more.
Whether you’re cooking a bird and all the fixings yourself this year, placing an order for turkey takeout from the local gastropub, or driving across state lines to spend the weekend with the in-laws, you’ll need a beverage that can stand up to any cuisine and situation. Since this year has been anything but conventional we picked a beer to match. Not only is Brother David’s Triple a conversation starter in itself, with its spicy aromatics, copious amounts of pale malts and the addition of Belgian candi sugar, this Abbey Style Ale pairs with everything from awkward monastic silence to lively conversations over cranberry sauce and gravy. At 10% it’s not as behemoth as the Huge Arker but you’ll still want to tread lightly if you wish to remain regal. Bonus points if you serve it in a goblet and wear a robe to your feast.
The Finale
Well done! You’ve made it this far, which means you are officially the winner of Thanksgiving. If you listened to our previous advice and saved room for an aprés feast treat, we’re rolling with the Old Fashioned as our go-to dessert pairing. Sometimes after a large celebratory meal we’re on the fence as to whether we crack another beer or light a cozy fire and slowly sip a cocktail, but with this unique beverage you can have it both ways. Inspired by our love for the classic bourbon cocktail, our robust brown ale is brewed with orange peel, Hersbrucker hops, and fresh cherry puree. It’s then aged in bourbon barrels with aromatic bitters for a complex nose and finish that complements any piece of pie you have room to put away.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Anderson Valley Brewing Company.
