6 of Best Beers to Drink on Thanksgiving, According to Brewers

From watching football to sitting down for dinner, Thanksgiving beverages can range from beer to wine to whiskey. But professional brewers know that a crispy, tart or spiced brew at the right time during Thanksgiving day can do wonders. From IPAs to saisons to crispy pilsners, here’s what some of America’s brewers will be enjoying on Turkey Day.

Urban Family Dark Hymn

ABV: 7.5%
Beer Style: Dark Sour Ale
Availability: Local, Seasonal

“Dark Hymn from Urban Family is where it’s at. It’s a 7.5 percent dark sour loaded with raspberries. I’m a sour head so I always go for them at holiday dinners. I love this beer because it gives your mind something to focus on while you ignore your awkward family conversations. You can also drink a decent amount of it and not get burned out on the sourness.” — Kelly McKnight, New Belgium Brewing

Allagash Ghoulschip

ABV: 8.6%
Beer Style: American Wild Ale
Availability: Regional, Seasonal

“I’ll be drinking Ghoulschip by Allagash Brewing. I will likely go this entire fall-winter season without drinking a typical pumpkin spice beer, but this one as a mixed culture beer will be uniquely tart, and funky. I look forward to see where the pumpkin character is now that I have cellared it for some time. Also, this year will be the first time some of my husband’s Maine-based family will be coming all the way out to California to share Thanksgiving with mine, so a Maine beer seems appropriate. I will bust it out during the pre-meal cheese, fruit and salami platter.” — Veronica Vega, Deschutes Brewery

Chuckanut Brewery Pilsner and Pfreim Family Brewers Pilsner

ABV: 5% / 4.9%
Beer Style: Pilsner
Availability: Local, Year-Round / Regional, Year-Round

“So, I’ll be in Seattle visiting family, and consuming a steady diet of Chuckanut Pils and Pfreim Pils, two of the best lagers the PNW has on offer.” — Niko Tonks, Fair State Brewing Cooperative

Half Acre Beer Company Daisy Cutter

ABV: 5.2%
Beer Style: Pale Ale
Availability: National, Year-Round

“My traditional Thanksgiving go-to beer is Interlude from Allagash. But this year I will be traveling to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving on Lake Michigan. So I think I’ll switch it up and drink a beer from my Chi-Town friends at Half Acre. Thinking Daisy Cutter or Pony… oh, who am I kidding, I will have both!” — Dan Kleban, Maine Beer Company

Hill Farmstead Brewery Anna

ABV: 6.5%
Beer Style: Farmhouse Ale – Saison
Availability: Regional, Limited

I’ll definitely be enjoying a Hill Farmstead Anna. With savory and heavy flavors on the Thanksgiving table plenty, something nice and light, but with enough acid and sweetness goes a long way in readjusting my palette, while accentuating all other flavors. In my book, everything is right about this beer. — Dave Martin, Mindful Ales

Deschutes Brewery Jubelale

ABV: 6.7%
Beer Style: Winter Ale
Availability: National, Seasonal

“I always make a habit of picking up some of Deschutes’ Jubelale around the holidays. I really enjoy the robust, roasted malty body and the dark, dried fruit flavors paired with its slightly spicy hop character. Jubelale really warms you up when the days get shorter this time of year!” — Carl Heinz, Breckenridge Brewery

Related Topics