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by Loraiza Marie San Pedro November 20, 2025

If you're a beer lover, why not take your Thanksgiving celebration to the next level by hosting a beer tasting? Whether you're a seasoned craft beer enthusiast or just getting into the world of brews, a Thanksgiving beer tasting is the perfect way to spice up the holiday. Here’s how to do it:

 

1. Choose a Variety of Beers

You want to offer your guests a fun mix of flavors that will complement your Thanksgiving feast. Here's a simple breakdown of beer styles that pair well with traditional Thanksgiving dishes:

  • Light Lagers & Pilsners: These crisp, refreshing beers are a great choice to kick things off before the big meal. They won’t overpower the food and go great with appetizers like cheese platters or light salads.

  • Porters & Stouts: Perfect for those heartier dishes like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. Their deep, roasty flavors also work great with Thanksgiving desserts like pumpkin pie or pecan pie.

  • IPAs (India Pale Ales): If your guests are into hoppy beers, an IPA can work well with spicier dishes or even fried foods. Just be sure not to go too heavy on the bitterness!

2. Keep It Simple with Pairings

You don’t have to get super fancy, beer and food pairings are about balance. Here are a few easy, no-fuss ideas:

  • Cheese & Crackers: Pair a light lager or pilsner with soft cheeses like brie, goat cheese, or mild cheddar.

  • Stuffing: A malty amber ale complements the richness of stuffing with herbs and sausage.

  • Turkey: An amber ale or a light wheat beer works beautifully with turkey’s delicate flavors.

  • Mashed Potatoes: A smooth porter or stout will match well with creamy mashed potatoes, especially if there’s gravy involved!

  • Pumpkin Pie: Finish it off with a pumpkin beer or a spiced amber ale—it’s a festive, flavorful match.

3. Set Up a Tasting Station

Make your beer tasting experience a little more special by setting up a dedicated tasting station. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Beer Glassware: Use different glasses for different beer styles (if you can!). A tulip glass for IPAs, a pint glass for lagers, and a snifter for stouts, for example.

  • Tasting Cards: Write down the name of each beer, the style, and a few flavor notes. You can even let your guests rate each beer from 1-5.

  • Food Pairings: Have small bites ready to taste alongside the beers. If possible, offer a few different options so guests can try out various combinations.

4. Pace the Tasting

A Thanksgiving beer tasting isn’t about drinking everything at once! Keep it slow and steady to avoid getting too full or tipsy before dinner. Aim for 4-6 different beers, with small pours (about 2-3 ounces per beer). This way, everyone can try a variety of brews without overdoing it.

 

5. Have Fun with the Theme

Make your Thanksgiving beer tasting feel special by incorporating the holiday theme. Here are a few fun ideas:

  • Thanksgiving Beer Trivia: Prepare a few trivia questions about Thanksgiving and beer. Add a bit of friendly competition to the tasting!

  • Beer Flight Names: Get creative with naming your beer flights. For example, you could name one flight “Turkey Day Traditions” and another “Autumn Harvest.”

  • Beer & Pie Pairing Contest: Have a mini contest where guests try different beer and pie pairings and vote on their favorites.

6. Don’t Forget Non-Alcoholic Options

Not everyone may want to drink beer, or some guests may be driving. Be sure to have some tasty non-alcoholic options on hand, like sparkling water, cider, or non-alcoholic beer.

 

7. Enjoy the Moment

At the end of the day, the most important part of your Thanksgiving beer tasting is spending time with loved ones. Enjoy the experience, try new things, and don’t stress about getting every pairingperfect. It's all about having fun and making memories.



Loraiza Marie San Pedro
Loraiza Marie San Pedro



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