Thanksgiving is a cherished time for families to come together, share a feast, and create lasting memories. While the turkey often steals the show, dessert is equally significant, especially when it comes to pies. The traditional beverage selections—coffee, tea, and even after-dinner spirits—are familiar, but this Thanksgiving, why not consider beer as a delightful pairing with your pie? The wide range of flavors and styles found in craft beer can complement the sweet and savory profiles of various pies, making for a uniquely enjoyable experience.
When contemplating beer and pie pairings, think of it as a playful exploration of flavors. Each type of pie carries its unique palette of tastes that can be enhanced or contrasted with specific beers. The right choice can elevate the dessert experience and spark delightful conversations around the dinner table. The goal is to create a balance that respects the nuances of both the pie and the beer, allowing each to shine through.
For those who cannot resist the rich, creamy allure of pumpkin pie, consider pairing it with a Scotch ale. Known for its darker hues with ruby highlights, the Scotch ale offers a delightful infusion of caramel and toffee flavors. This sweetness works in tandem with the pumpkin pie’s spice notes, creating a harmonious balance that will leave your guests asking for seconds. Noteworthy selections include Oskar Blues’ Old Chub and Orkney’s Skull Splitter, renowned for their robust caramel profiles.
Pecan pie, with its luscious, sugary filling, can sometimes be overwhelmingly sweet. Here, the English barleywine stands out as an excellent choice. Its warming qualities, paired with notes of dark toffee and, in some instances, oak, offer a sublime contrast to the sweetness of the pie. The higher alcohol content lends a comforting finish that cools the palate nicely, ensuring that each bite of pecan pie remains enjoyable rather than cloying. Seek out varieties like Revolution’s Straight Jacket or JW Lee’s Vintage Harvest Ale for the ultimate pairing.
No Thanksgiving is complete without the quintessential apple pie. For this classic, bring forth a Trappist quad. This beer style, rich and complex, presents flavors of apples, pears, and brown sugar, making it an excellent companion for the dessert. The high carbonation of quads helps to cleanse the palate after every mouthful, enhancing the experience of your warm apple pie. Rochefort’s lineup, especially beers 6, 8, or 10, delivers an outstanding appreciation of this pairing, imbuing each bite with a deep, flavorful resonance.
Sweet potato pie is a Thanksgiving favorite, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and spice. The dark, rich qualities of a Baltic porter serve as a fantastic complement. With flavors of treacle and bittersweet chocolate, this robust beer balances the sweetness of the pie while enhancing the spicy undertones of cinnamon and nutmeg. Choose from widely available options like Zywiec Baltic Porter or Dovetail Baltic Porter for a pairing that will wrap you in warmth as you enjoy your dessert.
Those fortunate enough to know the joys of chocolate mousse pie are in for a delightful treat when paired with an imperial stout. This beer variety, known for its strong, bold flavors of dark cocoa and black coffee, interacts beautifully with the rich layers of chocolate in the pie. The robust malt flavors cut through the sweetness, creating a luxurious mantle of taste that lingers long after the last bite. Favorites like Sierra Nevada Narwhal or Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout serve this purpose beautifully.
This Thanksgiving, consider how thoughtfully selected beer can elevate your dessert experience. It’s an opportunity to explore new flavors while honoring tradition, creating lasting memories amongst family and friends. Whether savoring a sweet pumpkin pie with a Scotch ale or indulging in chocolate mousse with an imperial stout, these pairings add a layer of enjoyment to an already festive occasion. As you toast to the season with those who mean the most, remember to savor every moment and drink responsibly. Cheers!