This article first appeared in Southern Distinction Magazine.
This time
of the year holiday cheer abounds. We spend time gathering with friends and
family enjoying food and libations and celebrating the season. When planning
for holiday parties and gatherings, remember to consider beverage pairings.
There are so many flavors and styles of craft beers; it's easy to find one to
complement any occasion or dish, and many people believe that beer's sweet
malt, spicy hops and lively carbonation complement savory holiday dishes much
better than other libations. 
You are
hosting a dinner party or a gathering with light appetizers, and you need a
starter beverage to greet your guests and serve as an aperitif. Think Berliner
Weisse. This historic German beer style has made a recent comeback via American
craft brewers. It is light and tart with nice carbonation. Creature Comforts
Brewing Company in Athens, Georgia has a splendid Berliner Weisse called
Athena. This style also works well as a palate cleanser between courses or as
an accompaniment for fresh fruits and sorbets.
What about
heavier appetizers or main holiday courses? There are a plethora of craft beer
choices out there. India Pale Ales (IPAs), Brown Ales and Amber Ales are all
styles that offer a variety of pleasant, sweet malt flavors backed by a hoppy
bitterness to please any set of taste buds. JailHouse Brewing in Hampton,
Georgia brews Mugshot IPA with nicely balanced flavors of sweet, toasty malt
and spicy, citrusy hop notes. This style pairs well with meats and hearty
vegetables and can even be enjoyed with seasonal pies or bread pudding.
JailHouse Misdemeanor Ale is a more moderately-hopped amber ale that leans more
on earthier, nutty, caramel-like malt flavors for those who may not be a fan of
IPAs.
Sweets are
usually a big part of holiday gatherings, and there are craft beers that go
perfectly with any dessert. Having a creme brulee? Try a roasty, coffee beer
like Terrapin’s thick and decadent Wake n Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout.
Not into coffee? Monday Night Brewing’s Drafty Kilt, a toffee-like Scottish
Ale, also pairs well with rich desserts. A wonderful choice for lighter
desserts such as coconut cake and custards, Lazy Magnolia’s Southern Pecan is
an elegant, slightly sweet, malty beer made with a touch of toasted pecans.
Many breweries also come out with limited release “holiday” beers this time of
the year that can make your holiday celebrations special.
The key to
pairing food and craft beer is knowing your tastes. You can choose to
complement or contrast with pairings. A strong, spicy Belgian Tripel has bold
enough flavors to pair with ham, turkey, or roasts while cutting through some
of the richness of the meat. If you are a novice at craft beer, that’s okay.
The folks at your local package store will be glad to offer advice, or you can
do a little research at your local craft beer bar/restaurant. The point is to
have fun this holiday season. Be a little adventurous. Enjoy responsibly and
remember to always eat well and drink good beer.
Happy holidays!
