Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and as you’re preparing your menu for the big day it’s time to start thinking about what to drink with the meal. Naturally, I favor beer, and I’ve been considering an updated list of recommendations to what I suggested seven years ago.

Without further ado, here’s my proposed list of local beers to pair with your Thanksgiving dinner.

Beginning with the appetizer course, which could include a starter such as soup and salad, you’ll want a lighter beer as an aperitif to accompany the appetizers. I like pilsner and light lager for this. They’re not too heavy, with a crisp drinkability that serves as a palate cleanser before facing the full meal.

There are plenty of options when it comes to this category. Several I would recommend include Pilsner from Van Henion Brewing Co., a crisp German-style pilsner that is 5.5% alcohol by volume with 30 IBUs; Bavarian Lager from GoodLife Brewing Co., 5% ABV with 20 IBUs with a bit more maltiness; and Bochi Bochi from Crux Fermentation Project, a Japanese rice lager that is crisp and dry, with 4.9% ABV and 17 IBUs.

On to the main event, the traditional trinity at the Thanksgiving table: turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. This medley of flavors needs a rich, complex ale to complement it, and this calls for a Belgian-style dubbel. One of several styles that originated with monasteries in Belgium, dubbel is a moderately strong, malty, amber-colored brew with characteristics that can include dark fruit, caramelized sugar, and toasted bread crust.

Dubbel or Nothing from Monkless Belgian Ales is the natural choice, an award-winning example of the style that can stand up to a wide range of foods. It’s 7.2% ABV with 23 IBUs, with notes of figs, raisins, cocoa and dates, as well as a gentle spiciness. If you were to select only one beer for the meal overall, Dubbel or Nothing could fit that bill.

When it comes to sweet potatoes and candied yams, as well as other starchy dishes, look to pair something that contrasts with the richness of the dish.

While it might seem counterintuitive, IPA plays well off of a sweet dish (in particular, sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows on top!).

More Coverage

Appreciating hefeweizen, golden ale and other throwback craft beers

The hoppy bitterness of the IPA cuts through the sweetness, while at the same time the rich flavors of the food help temper the bitter hops of the ale. There are many good IPAs to choose from, but if I had to pick one, Vicious Mosquito IPA from Sunriver Brewing Co. would be an excellent choice at 7% ABV with 70 IBUs.

When it comes to vegetable dishes, conventional wisdom might suggest lighter brews to avoid overwhelming the vegetables. However, darker and roastier beers can work well here, especially with grilled vegetables and richer dishes such as green bean casserole. The darker malts help to enhance savory notes in the vegetables.

Brown ale and porter are a good match, and if you opt for a brown ale, consider 20 Inch Brown from Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. At 5.3% ABV with 17 IBUs, it’s malty with notes of chocolate and a touch of roast and nuttiness. If you’re pondering porter, two culinary-minded examples are found in Granola Porter from Craft Kitchen and Brewery (6.8% ABV with 20 IBUs) and Black Lava Sea Salt Baltic Porter from Spider City Brewing Co. (5.8% ABV with 38 IBUs).

Beer can be a dessert by itself, particularly if you’re enjoying a pastry stout or similar with dessert-like flavors (such as Cocoa Cow Chocolate Milk Stout from Sunriver, or Nut Crusher Peanut Butter Porter from Wild Ride Brewing Co.).

But it’s hard to overlook the classic Thanksgiving desserts, pumpkin and pecan pie, and the pairing possibilities they present. Unsurprisingly, my favorite recommendation for pumpkin pie is a pumpkin beer of some sort, and one to consider is Yam Sesh from Crux. Technically brewed with yams, it has a selection of holiday spices and is 7% ABV with 40 IBUs.

The sweet, nutty flavor of pecan pie finds a great match in imperial stout for a decadent dessert experience. Two excellent options are The Abyss from Deschutes Brewery and Tough Love from Crux. These are big, nightcap-strength brews with 11% ABV and up to 14% ABV, respectively.

I hope these suggestions are helpful when picking out the perfect beers for your holiday meal, and that you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Top 5 beers of the week

Crowdpleaser IPA: Three Creeks Brewing

Horske Pivo Czech Pils:

Immersion Brewing

Pistol River Pale Ale: Arch Rock Brewing

Big Chillin’ Vanilla Stout:

Wild Ride Brewing

Great Gourds of Fire Pumpkin Ale:

Hopworks Brewing