Turn Your Thanksgiving Day Into Something Special

In the wine world there is a unanimous consensus that “white” goes with poultry.


In the beer world it’s not so cut and dry.
I will concede that flavor is in the taste bud of the beholder however, a little direction may go a long way when it comes to selecting a beer or even several for the holiday.
For starters, any of the sour ales would be an eclectic twist for a beverage choice. Don’t let the name fool you. These ales are mouth watering. They can be likened to a liquid version of a green olive. It’s intended to whet the appetite but one wouldn’t want to make a dinner of it.
Sour ales such as Flanders Red or Brown or a gueze are not easy to find. Some BevMo’s may carry them. World Market or Whole Foods is also a good place to look. Don’t add to your holiday rush. These are places that we commonly go to for uncommon items. When you find yourself there just remember the beer style and if you find one then you know you have something extra special to share with family and friends during the holiday season.
Sour Ales are have very low or even absent hop aroma and flavor. They are also quite reasonable in the alcohol content being between 6 and 8 percent ABV% for most. The cultures added during the fermentation ( to mimic original fermenting styles) are what add to the sour characteristic of the beer profile. It is for this reason you may want to offer only small amounts since these can be an acquired taste.
These beers have a great punch of flavor with tons of complexity. Loads of fruit and malt characteristic are well balanced with the hops and sour character. The Flanders are made with high quality pilsner malt and crystal malts which contribute to the color and rich flavor of the beer style.
The Lambics/ Gueze are made primarily with wheat to give it the characteristic color and mouth feel the fruit flavor in these beers comes from the fruit added to the beer after its first or primary fermentation. The fruit is allowed to macerate in the beer, taking on the flavors .
It will take awhile for the beers to unfold on the palate. They have a light to medium mouth feel so they are not too heavy and have a good amount of carbonation. These beers are rich in European history so you may want to encourage on your guests to partake in a little bit of European culture. Be sure to give them a heads up about these beers. They do require an open mind.
These ales should be served at app. 65 degrees . Serving these beers at refrigeration temperature will close the taste buds more than effect the actual character of the beer. These beers are very complex in aroma so they would do well in large rimmed glasses just be sure to only offer a short pour. Encourage the head of the beer by pouring down the middle of the glass as you finish the pour.
You should now have the perfect glass of sour ale at the best temperature and a topped of with a fine head.
These beers are too be savored. Just drink a little at a time. They will actually tell you when you are ready for another sip. They can be addicting the same way olives can be addicting. Enjoy!