Thanksgiving Day pairings for the win.
The time of year has arrived when we gather around the table and toast to everything we’ve been thankful for since the last holiday. Everyone celebrates the day differently, whether it’s watching the Macy’s Day Parade by the fire or partaking in an annual turkey bowl. But the one thing we all have in common while celebrating is feasting on a well-prepared dinner together. Thanksgiving fare deserves a beverage companion so, to make it easy on you, we tapped our resources to ask these leading drink professionals what their go-to matches are for Turkey Day. Cheers!
Schooner Exact Brewing NW Sour Framboise | Paired by Kendall Jones | Washington Beer Blog | Seattle
For Jones, the primary author of Washington Beer Blog, celebrated local beer writer and Sip Northwest‘s head beer guru, he enjoys pairing even before the main course arrives. “When grazing on appetizers, I like to amuse my bouche, so to speak, with something sour,” he says. “In addition to satisfying my palate, a sour beer makes my mouth water and wakes up my taste buds. My current favorite is Schooner Exact Brewing’s NW Sour Framboise, a sour raspberry beer — a 2016 Sip Best of the Northwest winner.”
Twisted Hills Calville’s Winter | Paired by Kelly Chomat | Orchard & the Sea | Vancouver, BC
Cider goes hand-in-hand with the flavors of Thanksgiving as the acidity of apple cuts through the savory richness of the meal’s courses. Alongside her importing business, Chomat began Orchard & the Sea to showcase all that the Canadian hard cider scene has to offer. Reflecting upon Canada’s Thanksgiving last month, Chomat recommends Twisted Hills’ Calville’s Winter for this month’s American celebration. “It boasts flavors of pineapple and passion fruit with a slight acidic finish, making it a great addition to the dinner,” says Chomat. Try matching this cider with your favorite squash side.
Avennia 2013 Justine Southern Rhone Blend | Paired by Sennen David | Ethan Stowell Restaurants | Seattle
When we think of pairings, we tend to gravitate toward wine because of its longstanding tradition of enhancing the flavors of food. For David, Seattle’s Ethan Stowell Restaurants beverage director, he understands the salty and savory of the bird goes best with a textured red blend, like this Rhône-style red from Avennia. “Black bramble fruits and dried herbs will complement stuffing and roasted game, while the smokier notes of licorice and iron make this red meaty enough that you can (hopefully) skip that unnecessary second or third plate heaped with food,” he says.
Clear Creek Distillery McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey | Paired by Alise Moffatt | Shift Drinks PDX | Portland
Enjoying dessert with something stronger is the perfect way to end your Thanksgiving night. The perfect pair to spiced desserts is none other than single malt sipper whiskey made in the Pacific Northwest. Longtime cocktail pro in Portland, Moffatt recommends serving the McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt with pumpkin or bourbon pecan pie. “It’s a subtly sweet whiskey with a smokiness that cuts through the sweetness of desserts,” she explains. This particular Oregon made whiskey is made for sipping, not excess amounts or for shooting, so plan for an ounce to sip between bites of spiced-filled pie to end the night.
