How to Select the Perfect Beet for Your Holiday Meal

Christmas Day is only a week away. With the craft beer industry continuing to explode, you can bet many more people will be pairing a great beer with Christmas dinner this year. G&M delivers so many fantastic brews to our local retailers, it can be hard to find the perfect one. Here are my suggestions to make the perfect pairing:

Before Dinner

Look for something clean and refreshingly crisp to prepare for the meal. Steer away from anything overly hopped or too high in alcohol. You have a long night ahead of you. Reach for a classic lager style beer like Lagunitas Pils or the brand new Schlafly White Lager.

During Dinner

Like wine, it's easiest to match your beer to the main entrée. Classic holiday cuts include roast beef, turkey or ham. Look for something versatile, with deep complexity and richness of flavor. I recommend a winter warmer like Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale or an English style bitter (ESB) like Goose Island Honkers Ale.

Dessert

Now's the time to feature bigger, bolder brews. Look for a barrel-aged stout, coffee stout, or barleywine. Try Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, Schlafly Coffee Stout, or Steven's Point Whole Hog Barleywine. Any of these will pair nicely with pecan pie, cookies, or any chocolate dessert. For you beer geeks, this is also a great time to break out any high ABV beers you've been hoarding in your beer "cellar" for the last couple of years, waiting for a special occasion.

While there's plenty of great craft pairings for a variety of foods, there's never anything wrong with reaching for an ice cold Budweiser or Old Milwaukee with your meal. Merry Christmas to all and enjoy the upcoming holiday!