By Kristen Kuchar
Food, family and friends are the focal points of Thanksgiving, but the beverage to accompany your well-made dinner is something that can certainly amplify the meal. While wine is often the go-to on Thanksgiving, there are plenty of craft beers that can do the holiday justice as well. So, when you slow down to give thanks, check out these 10 Colorado beers for your festivities:
That 90’s Brown | Tommyknocker Brewery
A brown ale is a good choice to complement any traditional hearty Thanksgiving meal with medium intensity and roasted malt flavors. This one from Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub is a nut-brown ale that is brewed with a bit of maple syrup. It’s described as a sweet, subtle and easy-drinking beer.
Belgian Dubbel | Bruz Beers
A Belgian Dubbel is often a recommended pairing for an eclectic holiday meal. For all things Belgian, Bruz Beers is always a great choice. This Belgian Dubbel is a dark abbey-style ale with flavors of caramel, dates and toffee.
Signal de Botrange | Elevation Beer Co.
Because there might be wine lovers at your table, a nice alternative is a wine-barrel aged beer. Elevation Beer Co.’s Signal de Botrange is a farmhouse ale that is aged in chardonnay wine barrels. Notes of the white wine come through along with oak and hay, pouring a light amber color.
Tart Cranberry Ale | Goat Patch Brewing Company
Goat Patch Brewing’s seasonal Tart Cranberry Ale is specifically designed to pair with large meals and family. It’s made with everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving fruit – plenty of cranberries – along with orange peel. The end result is an ale that is as refreshing as it is tart.
Isolation Ale | Odell Brewing Co.
As the temperatures change, our taste in beer often follows. Winter warmers are a cold-weather favorite among beer drinkers with a bit of sweetness, spices, caramel and maltiness. Odell Brewing’s Isolation Ale are all of those wonderful things with a subtle crisp hop finish.
Pump[KY]n | Avery Brewing
Avery Brewing’s Pump[KY]n combines two Thanksgiving post-dinner staples: pumpkin pie and bourbon. The porter has notes of pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and clove. It’s aged in bourbon barrels and comes in at a hefty 18.8% ABV.
Horchata Yeti Imperial Stout | Great Divide Brewing
For another dessert option, Great Divide’s Horchata Yeti is seasonally available throughout November. The Imperial Stout has a white rice base, just like a traditional horchata. Lactose sugar, cinnamon and vanilla round it out for a sweet and silky brew.
Undead Apumpalytica: Pecan Barleywine | Wiley Roots Brewing Co.
While pumpkin might be a pie mainstay on Thanksgiving, a delicious pecan pie is always a fan favorite. This high-alcohol beer from Greeley’s Wiley Roots Brewing has all of the seasonal spices – nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice. Although stouts seem to dominate the fall/winter scene, this one is a barleywine-style ale.
Santa’s Nightcap | Holidaily Brewing
For the gluten-free family and friends at your celebration, any brew from Holidaily Brewing Co. is a great choice. The Golden-based brewery is 100% dedicated to gluten free beer. The Riva Stout is a full-bodied beer with flavors of dark chocolate and coffee. Today, the brewery also releases its Santa’s Nightcap Bourbon Oak-aged Imperial Stout on tap and in 22-ounce bottles.
Non-Alcoholic Golden Lager | Gruvi
For a non-alcoholic option, Gruvi’s Golden Lager is a light and crisp beer. Besides having less than 0.5% alcohol, it’s also vegan, 58 calories and gluten-reduced (less than 20 ppm). It was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2022 World Beer Cup Awards for non-alcoholic beer.