Thanksgiving Beer Pairings: Your Festive Dinner Beer Guide from the Muskoka Brewery Team
by Hop Shop
Whether you're gearing up for your fourth turkey dinner of the weekend, heading up to the cottage for a cozy feast, or hosting the ultimate Thanksgiving spread, one thing’s for sure: Muskoka Brewery should be top of mind when you're stocking up for the holiday.
We asked our teams' go-to Thanksgiving eats to pair with their fav Muskoka brews and got a delicious mix of tradition, personality, and a whole lot of love for good local beer. Discover what our crew is sipping and serving this season and how you can bring a little Muskoka magic to your own table this Thanksgiving long weekend.
Team Picks: Food + Beer Pairings to Inspire Your Feast
- Trevor chose our German Festbier Lager to pair with pumpkin pie! The toasty body of our Festbier complements the flaky pie crust, while the herbal & earthy notes of the beer contrast the pumpkin pie spices. Available in the LCBO!
- Jen chose Aviator Bicoastal IPA as her go-to with stuffing; the bitterness of Aviator cuts through this hearty side. Try throwing in some apricots and pecans to your stuffing—these flavours will complement the stone fruit notes of this Bicoastal IPA.
- Todd swears by Mad Tom IPA and his mother-in-law’s legendary triple cream, triple butter, triple whipped mashed potatoes, complete with extra gravy—and the secret ingredient: a dash of hot white pepper! Mad Tom’s bold bitterness will help cut the triple richness of these mashed potatoes, while highlighting the bite of the hot white pepper.
- Alex paired Tread Lightly Light Lager with blueberry pie; the light lemon notes of Tread Lightly contrast the blueberry filling to add a pop of brightness!
- Emma went with Craft Lager and apple crisp for a classic complementary pairing. The pomme fruit notes of Craft Lager blend with the in-season apples, while the beer’s biscuity notes highlight the crunchy crisp on top.
- Mark matched Detour with green bean casserole. This session IPA’s high carbonation and soft bitterness cuts through the creamy casserole, and for an extra layer of flavour, add a splash of Detour into the casserole mixture before popping it in the oven!
- Robin chose Windbound Campfire Pilsner and turkey for a perfect dinner table pairing. Windbound’s light body will let the turkey shine, while its toasty body matches the crispy skin. If you choose to cook your turkey in the smoker or on the BBQ, Windbound’s hint of smoke will add an extra complementary layer to the dining experience!
- Matt picked Hazed & Confused and gravy as a great contrast to the rich sauce that always seems to make its way onto everything on the Thanksgiving dinner plate.
- Sherry chose Cream Ale and cranberry sauce, a Muskoka classic. While Muskoka region’s original craft ale goes hand in hand with the Bala Cranberry Festival happening now, on the dinner table, Cream Ale’s caramelized body complements the sweetness of this essential Thanksgiving accoutrement.
Cross Beer off your Thanksgiving Shopping list with Muskoka Brewery
Swing by the Taproom, your local LCBO, Costco, or grocery store for all things Muskoka Brewery. And if you're looking for a little extra inspiration, check out our Instagram post to see the full lineup of team picks.
From all of us at Muskoka Brewery, Happy Thanksgiving! May your plates be full, your beers be cold, and your gatherings be unforgettable.
Dave
Are any of your products available in the US?
Dave
PS I still regard Canada and Canadians our neighbors. And I believe Chicago has more in common with Toronto than many southern cities. Don’t loose all hope. In us.