Thanksgiving and craft beer go hand in hand. Microbreweries have been creating Fall Seasonal beer for years and it’s the one season when the breweries go out of their way to make a craft beer not offered any other time of the year. Most of these releases involve the use of pumpkins; some excessive, some not enough, and some are just right. Other breweries stray away from pumpkin and try other creative and innovative ingredients such as yams or cherries. Whatever the case may be there’s a beer meant for you and a loved one during Thanksgiving.
I have spent the last two months tasting and filming some really great pumpkin and Fall flavored beers. I decided to write this in hopes of sharing with you some of my own beer ideas for this years Thanksgiving. Some of these beers I’ve filmed or wrote about while others I haven’t documented but have had the chance to taste. Even others are suggestions from followers and fans. Would love to know your thoughts and your craft beer ideas for Thanksgiving; leave comments at the end!
| Stone Brewing |
Stone Brewing’s newest release is out! Double Bastard. This is the ramped up version of Arrogant Bastard. This is an American Strong Ale coming in at 10.5% ABV. Created for hop heads and Stone fans alike. You’re in luck this year because Stone is releasing Double Bastard in 22oz as well as 3 Liter bottles. What better way to enjoy Thanksgiving than 96 ounces of amazing beer. $5 – 8 dollars (22oz) $90 (3 Lt) |
 Stone Brewing’s 15th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA “Escondidian” is also perfect for Thanksgiving. This massive Cascadian Black Ale comes in at a whopping 10.8% ABV! The hops have faded just a bit leaving deep espresso notes but still massive bitterness. Available in 22oz and 3 Liter bottle. Perfect substitute for coffee this year. $8 – 10 dollars (22oz) $70 (3 Lt) |
| The Bruery |
 photo courtesy of Charlie Essers Thanksgiving wouldn’t be right without The Bruery’s Autumn Maple. 10% ABV this is a Belgian brown brewed with loads of yams (13lbs per barrel) and spiced with love. It’s robust, rich, sweet, and has a finish to die for. 750ml and capped with the ability to age for 5 years! Pickup a bottle for around $13 dollars. Watch the video here! |
 Earlier in the year The Bruery teamed up with Cigar City to make a Flanders Oud Bruin, Marròn Acidifiè. Coming in at 8.5% ABV it pours a silky dark brown and if you’ve been cellaring this beer since release, well it’s just about time to open her up. Perfect for Thanksgiving this year. If you love sour ales then this is the perfect one to enjoy mid course while munching on stuffing and turkey breast. 750ml $25 (sold out) |
| Avery Brewing |
 Avery Brewing’s first annual barrel-aged release: Rumpkin. This 12oz bottle carries with it 15.9% ABV and has been aged in Goslings Rum barrels. This beer packs a punch and fills every criteria for a perfect pumpkin beer; even down to the strong boozy quality. Ageable for up to 10 years and super limited it’s the perfect finishing beer to a great Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. 12oz bottles $10.99 – sold singly. Watch the video here! |
 Avery Brewing released the second in their Dictator Series, The Kaiser. This is a 10.3% ABV Imperial Märzen Lager. This beer carries with it all the sweet caramel undertones one expects from a Märzen Lager but it’s larger than life with some serious alcohol that leaves you warm from the inside out. 22oz bomber and easily cellerable for five years The Kaiser is perfect for Thanksgiving. $8 dollars |
| Great Divide Brewing |
Great Divide released Belgian Yeti just a few months ago and it’s a perfect pairing for Thanksgiving. The Belgian yeast blended with the deep roasty malts makes this a wonderful beer for after dinner. This is the fifth installment in the Yeti series. Coming in at 9.5% ABV it’s a stout that’s not only memorable but also festive and fits just about any occasion. 22oz bottle $9 |
 Great Divide also released their Fresh Hop IPA not too long ago and if hops are what you seek then this is the beer for you. 6.1% ABV and full of citrus grassy herbal notes with moderate bitter punch on the finish. Thirst quenching and great with turkey. 22oz bottle $11 |
| Russian River Brewing |
 Russian River recently released Temptation their 7.25% ABV and barrel-aged on french oak chardonnay barrels. This American Wild Ale is perfect for Thanksgiving and a wonderful supplement to Sparking Wine. Huge white wine characteristics are present as well as the earthy Brettanomyces on the nose and in the finish. Available in 375 milliliter bottles for $13 dollars. 6L also available – VERY RARE – priceless. |
 Russian River also recently released Framboise For a Cure. This is a perfect pairing with cranberries and pumpkin pie. This is a rare treat and a brewery only release. For most outside of the Bay Area this would be next to impossible to get. Make some friends or make a trip! 375 milliliter bottle $20 dollars. |
| Odell Brewing |
Odell Brewing released Friek last year and just took home Gold at the Great American Beer Festival. Released after taking Gold, Friek is a staple in an American Kriek category. Big tart notes with subtle cherries on the finish. Easy to share and perfect for Thanksgiving deserts such as sweet potato pie, pureed cranberries, and just about anything you can picture. 750ml – corked and caged and weighing in at 6.5% ABV running around $18 dollars a bottle. |
Last year Odell Brewing gave us Mountain Standard their Imperial Black IPA. It was part of their Single Series and it was delicious. This year they have managed to up the production amount and scale down the bottle size form 750ml to 12oz bottles. Weighing in at a massive 9.5% ABV this little bottle will knock your socks off. For the Dark Cascadian Ale lover and well anyone who fines hops to be the holy. 12oz bottles – 4 pack $11 |
| The Belgians |
Suggest by Chris Kirchmeier on Facebook I thought it deserved a place here. Liefmans Kriek is outstanding and while I haven’t had Goudenband I am sure it is exceptional. This is a Flanders Oude Bruin coming in at 8% ABV in a 750ml corked and caged bottle. Easily shareable and perfect for Thanksgiving. Pair it up with roasted dark turkey meat, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. $10 a bottle |
 Timmermans got a bad rep starting off by producing a few so-so kriek and framboise ales in the can. However a few months back they released a Gueuze that blew the socks off of all of us. This is their Limited Edition Oude Gueuze. Weighin in at 5.5% ABV and coming in a 750ml bottle it’s a perfect bottle to share. Not enough ABV to get you drunk on one bottle but more flavor than one person can know what to do with. This Thanksgiving give the gift that keeps on giving and share something that’s truly rare. Pair it with white meat, stuffing, and play around with deserts. $15 dollars a bottle. |
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