I wrote last year at this time about how the Mayflower abandoned its voyage and landed in Plymouth due to running out of…beer.
And did you know that one of the first establishments constructed within the Pilgrim colony was a brewery. So, what do you think they drank at that first Thanksgiving?
They drank beer!
(Yes, I know that the above is more myth than fact, but it makes for a great beer story).
Fortunately, there is no shortage of beer these days on our journey, especially quality craft-brewed beer. Now, I’m no expert on the pairing of beer with foods, so I did what any self-respecting blogger would do – I stole the following information from various sources:
Here are some brief suggestions ...
Apéritif (before dinner)
Don’t kill the palate too early in the day; start off with a nice light-bodied Pilsner or Lager. You know, something that will arouse appetites and slowly awaken the senses.
Hors d'oeuvre Hour
Kick things up a notch with a moderate level of hops. Pale Ales will pair nicely with salads, a slew of cheese varieties, fruits, and many hors d'oeuvres, without overwhelming any flavors. But don't go too bitter.
Dinner
A strong Belgian-style ale goes great with the main spread. Their higher alcohol percentages cut through fats and starches, provide an edge of sweetness, and boast very diverse and complex flavors that lend themselves very well to this pairing.
Another recommendation is to reintroduce more Pilsners and Lagers, as they will not only act as a palate cleanser in-between bites. (I know what you’re thinking, he’s suggesting pairing certain beers with other beers. Why not!?).
Dessert
Rich and big Stouts work very well.
Digestif (after dinner)
Time to loosen the belt a notch or two and take a nap.
Before long it will be “before dinner” time again. what a wonderful cycle.
Just remember to be experimental and have fun doing it!
To paraphrase a popular quote:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – BEER in one hand – Turkey leg, yams (marshmallows on top, if you must), cranberry sauce (that cylinder kind from a can), Pot Stickers, Pumpkin (or pecan if you're feeling a little nutty) pie, in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, WHOO HOO, what a ride!"
May you each have a “WHOO HOO” Thanksgiving
Sir Bowie "pass me another bottle, I mean salad" of Greenbriar
Sir Dayvd's tips for avoiding bland beer:
ReplyDeleteAvoid “Lite”
Avoid “Dry”
Avoid “Cold-filtered”
Avoid “Ice”
Avoid “Smooth”
Avoid “Cream/Creamy”
Avoid “Clean”
Avoid beer advertised with words ending in ”flow”
Avoid beer advertised on TV
Avoid beer with sports tournaments named after them
Avoid beer with “rice” in the ingredients.
Avoid beer “Brewed under license”. It’s ususally a different strength, a different taste and no resemblance to the original. Often brewed down the road but they hint that it’s an excotic import.
Avoid America....
LoL okay the last one was a cheap shot, seeing as i am generally not working when i am over in the States and consequently have bags of free time to chug beer. Honey Brown is not that bad if left in the sun for a while..
D of O
translation of pot-stickers (the noodles that I made yesterday - stir often or you get - pot-stickers!)
ReplyDeleteand the marshmallows on sweet potatoes is a friendly battle that Sir Bowie and I've had for the past 28 Thanksgivings
We will travel over the river and through the woods to my brother's house rather than my parents' house
and
we return to Sir B's Mother's house for the feast this year after hosting it at our house the past couple of years which is a way of returning to our younger years when we "go home for the holidays"
rather than the torch
(or tablecloths) being passed to this generation - as much as we've enjoyed having everyone here, it's a nice feeling to enjoy the illusion that nothing has really changed - I say that because again this year our fathers' seats will be empty and not all the cousins will be in town - and we know that next year we will have a son-in-law in a seat (talk about changes!)
we'll enjoy the ride together, beer in hand, "just a spoonful" of everything and lots of love
Happy Thanksgiving to all,
from a thankful
Lady Suzanne of Greenbriar
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Thanks Sir Bowie for the guidelines. I'll use it tomorrow. Beer instead of Wine, just like the Pilgrams!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sir Davyd for your always insightful and tongue in cheek comments! Truth hurts!
Thanks Lady Suzanne for a glimpse of what family and feast times mean. Well said and shared!
Finally, food for thought to go with all the food and beer tomorrow. I just received Paulo Coehlo's Warrior of Light e-newslette where he went on about why we spend so much time fighting the girth of age to look 20 again. It's a waist of time and energy. Instead enjoy life to the fullest, as Sir Bowie suggests. My favorite quote from the newsletter was "I decided to go on a diet of no alcohol, no sugar and no fat for two weeks. I lost 14 days!"
Cheers and Enjoy Your Days!
Sir Hook the Gobbler of Warrick