Any suggestions for Thanksgiving beer? Looking for something that pairs well with the meal. I'm in PA so our distribution is terrible so it would have to be something you think might be readily available. Not sure if we should go with the standard IPA or APA. I have a '15 Abyss for dessert.
What is the meal? Traditional turkey dinner? Gravy, cranberry sauce, etc.? In my view an IPA and even APA will walk all over a turkey dinner and drown it out; turkey is a mild, neutral flavored meet. How about a nice Amber/Red Ale to add some autumn color and a balanced malt character that won't overpower the food? Then your Abyss with dessert. Nice!!!
The above amber/red ale idea is perfect. Anchor Christmas Ale isn't a bad idea either. The biggest mistake you can make is going heavy, considering it will be a heavy meal.
That's what I was afraid of with the IPA. I want it to compliment and not take over. Red/Amber shouldn't be too hard to find. Too bad Nugget Nectar isn't out. Then again, that's a strong one. I've got some time so I'll have to look around. Keep the suggestions coming though!
A good saison might work well. Since you're in one of the poor distribution areas in PA ( e.g., not in Philly and not in Pittsburgh) I'm not quite sure what's available to you but the Ommegang Hennepin can often be found relatively easily.
I agree completely with that pairing. Just recommend watching the ABVs what with Abyss awaiting on the dessert table.
Close to Philly but not right around the corner. I will be there in a few weeks for work but not before Thanksgiving. I think I might have to give that Hennepin a try even if it's not next week. I like a good Saison. Like the guy above said, gotta watch the ABV with the Abyss still to go.
When you do make your visit to the Philly area, the Ommegang web site does have a beer locator that shows places where Hennepin has been recently delivered and so may still be in stock. That includes some of the grocery stores that have also set up an eatery so they can have beer for sale and be able to handle sales through a non-grocery register as required by the law that allows them to sell beer for take out (upper limit 92 oz). Edit: But as for the calories, they don't count when having Thinksgiving dinner. :-)
Honestly, wine with the meal, hands down. I'll drink beer before while watching football, and probably after, but wine will be on the dinner table.
DeuS Brut des Flandres and/or Ommegang Rosetta, with Schlafly's Pumpkin Ale for dessert. What could possibly go wrong?
The wife and I rarely make turkey anymore... But a really good ham goes great with a big-boned Wee Heavy.
Two years ago I went with Sly Fox Grisette, which I really enjoyed (it complimented the food well, no overpowering flavors). Last year, Victory Sour Monkey, almost white wine like, also went well (any more sour it may have distracted from the food). This year I'm thinking Brooklyn Sorachi Ace. I would second the Saison recommendation.
