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Thanksgiving is a day centered around a feast. And as with any good meal, beer can play an integral part in the experience. The key is planning your beer menu to complement your meal. Thanks to St. Louis' wide variety of local craft breweries, you should have no problem pairing local beers with main courses, side dishes, and, of course, dessert. We've assembled a traditional Thanksgiving meal featuring two main dishes, cranberry sauce, two sides, and pumpkin pie for dessert. And if your menu is different, then just remember that pairing combinations work best when they share common flavor or aroma elements. (We often refer to this food pairings chart from the Brewers Association for guidelines and ideas.)
MAIN COURSE
Courtesy of Civil Life Brewing
Roasted Turkey
A malty beer will complement the roasted caramelization by adding a sweetness with notes of nuttiness and caramel. Civil Life Brewing's American Brown Ale and O'Fallon Brewing's Show Me Amber are both below 5% ABV and easy drinking beers. For an even lighter option, consider Urban Chestnut's #6 Classic American Lager (4.5%) or a Marzen style beer such Schlafly Beer's Oktoberfest (5.5% ABV)
Courtesy of Bluewood Brewing
Ham
If you're going with a classic glazed ham this year, then you'll want to pair it with a classic Hefeweizen. Locally, there are plenty of good options, but for something a little different I recommend Bluewood Brewing's Bananas & Blow (6% ABV), with lemons, bananas, and a hint of clove.
SIDES
Courtesy of Perennial Artisan Ales
Cranberry Sauce
Granted, its entire job is to complement the turkey, but it too deserves a pairing. Two ideas here. First, complement the tartness of the fruit with a Brett-style beer. 2nd Shift Brewing's classic Katy (5.4%) is fruity on the nose and full of light tropical flavor, with just enough sour to complement the cranberries. Or keep it simple with Perennial Artisan Ales' Southside Blonde (5%), an easy-drinking beer with just a hint of fruit.
COURTESY OF ROCKWELL BEER CO.
Classic Stuffing and Mash Potatoes
These two staple side dishes not only complement the main dish, but the beer pairings are similar. Malty, light beers can act as a sort of palette cleanser as you go from turkey to side dish and back again. For the stuffing, look for a light, crisp pilsner, such as Rockwell Beer's Stand By (5.3%). For the mashed potatoes, a Brown Ale is a nice pairing. Heavy Riff Brewing has two solid options: Velvet Underbrown and Vanilla Coffee Underbrown (6.5%).
Courtesy of 4 Hands Brewing
DESSERT
Pumpkin Pie
If the pie in front of you is pumpkin, then get yourself a new glass and fill it with an Irish or Milk Stout. Six Mile Bridge's Irish Stout (5.3%) will add some chocolate notes to the dessert experience, while 4 Hands Brewing's classic Chocolate Milk Stout will also perfectly accent that piece of pumpkin pie.
