There is a main holiday in November with Thanksgiving coming up soon, but before that day arrives, there is another important holiday for beer drinkers – International Stout Day on November 7. So, two great occasions to celebrate with beer.
International Stout Day began in 2011, in of all places, Southern California, by Erin Peters (The Beer Goddess) and has grown into a worldwide celebration. Stouts have many varieties, but most are dark in color with pronounced flavors. Stouts began in the 17th century as an offshoot of porter beers in England. Stouts were brewed stronger and darker than porters and became their own style of beer.
Stout varieties include Irish Stout, Irish Extra Stout, Foreign Extra Stout, Oatmeal Stout, Milk or Sweet Stout, Tropical Stout, and Imperial Stout. At right is a quick table with each variety, alcohol by volume (ABV), flavors, and well-known brands. Choose a flavor profile that you would enjoy and raise a glass on International Stout Day, November 7.
Happy Thanksgiving! Many of you will be hosting or traveling to be with friends and family for the Thanksgiving holiday. This holiday is all about giving thanks and sharing great food and drink with those that you care about. And guess what – beer goes really well with Thanksgiving dinner!
If you are hosting, be prepared for beer lovers at your table that might prefer beer over wine with dinner. What to serve with dinner?
Thanksgiving dinner has many delicious flavors – roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, squash, cranberry sauce, and casseroles – all of these flavors allow for many beers to complement dinner. I would suggest something lower in alcohol but with still enough flavor to match up with dinner. Session IPAs have enough malty flavors to match up to the roasted turkey, stuffing, and gravy, and a snap of bitterness from the hops to cleanse that palate between bites. Founders All Day IPA and Cigar City Jai Low are two well-known examples.
You could also consider beers specific to the holiday, a cranberry- themed beer or a pumpkin- themed beer. Some cranberry- themed beers include styles that are light and effervescent and would pick up on the cranberry sauce and would act as a palate cleanser between bites. Bubbles in beer help to cleanse the palate! Here are some examples of cranberry-themed beers: Creature Comforts Brewing Company Athena Paradiso Berliner Weisse from Athens, Georgia and Jack’s Abbey Cranberry Berliner from Framingham, Massachusetts.
For pumpkin-themed beers, Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale from Boston, Massachusetts, and Elysian Brewing Night Owl Pumpkin Ale from Seattle, Washington. Have fun preparing for Thanksgiving and if you are unsure what your beer-drinking guests would like, just ask! Beer drinkers are always willing to share what their favorite beer is! As always, drink responsibly and enjoy the holidays in November!
