“In San Diego, we usually celebrate Thanksgiving in shorts and flip-flops,” says Mike Sardina, the assistant executive officer at Societe Brewing. “So we may not typically be reaching for those usual beers to pair with a holiday meal. Instead, we think hoppy.”
When it comes to Thanksgiving pairings, Societe’s hop-minded approach is also a nontraditional one. Try these Thanksgiving sides paired with a spectrum of IPA styles.
Stuffed Crimini Mushrooms
The team at Societe Brewing likes to prepare stuffed mushrooms with roasted garlic, fresh parsley, and some olive oil, stuffing the mushrooms with brown rice and then melting and caramelizing some chevre cheese on top. They recommend pairing the stuffed mushrooms with an IPA that has an assertive hops bite and prevalent hops character such as Societe's The Apprentice, a 7.5 percent ABV American IPA brewed with Centennial, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops.
Other IPAs To Try
- Ninkasi Brewing Company (Eugene, Oregon) Total Domination IPA
- La Cumbre Brewing Co. (Albuquerque, New Mexico) Elevated IPA
- Avery Brewing Co. (Boulder, Colorado) Avery IPA
Mac & Cheese
Not exactly a Thanksgiving staple, but certainly a crowd-pleasing comfort food that pairs well with beer (especially IPA), mac & cheese will make a great addition to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. Step up the flavors of this classic American dish with the addition of caramelized onions and hearty chunks of thick-cut bacon. Try it next to a sessionable IPA such as Societe’s The Publican. The lighter mouthfeel and impact of a lower ABV beer, as well as the carbonation, will scrub the heaviness of the mac & cheese away from your palate.
Other IPAs To Try
- Firestone Walker (Paso Robles, California) Easy Jack
- North Peak Brewing Company (Traverse City, Michigan) Wanderer Session IPA
- Lagunitas Brewing (Petaluma, California, and Chicago, Illinois) Day Time
Cornbread Stuffing
Add some dried cranberries, browned sausage, and sautéed onions to traditional cornbread stuffing for a dish that pairs well with an earthier, maltier Imperial IPA or English IPA such as Societe's The Haberdasher. The balance of the malts and the hops creates the perfect accompaniment to the rich and savory flavors of the traditional Thanksgiving main course of turkey and stuffing.
Other IPAs To Try
- Odell Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado) Myrcenary Double IPA
- Ballast Point Brewing Company (San Diego, California) Big Eye IPA
- Appalachian Brewing Company (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Hoppy Trails India Pale Ale
Another Pint
The craft beer itself counts as a side, right? After all, it is placed alongside your Thanksgiving plate. Not to mention some IPAs are so complex they are best served solo. Societe’s The Pupil is an example. It’s a bold American IPA brewed with Centennial, Citra, and Nelson Sauvin hops.
Other IPAs To Try
- Surly Brewing Co. (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Furious IPA
- The Alchemist (Colbyville, Vermont) Heady Topper
- Green Flash Brewing Co. (San Diego, California) West Coast IPA