Brews to be Thankful For

As the cold winds start whipping across the country and the leaves are falling from the tree, we come again to the Thanksgiving holiday – a day to watch football, eat great food, spend time with friends and family, and be thankful. And of course, drink beer! Now, after you’re thankful for how much less time you’ve spent doing LEED paperwork this year, it is time to celebrate by cracking a cold one – something that is easy drinking, since it might be around noon for your first one, and something that can go well with everything from turkey and stuffing to cheese and crackers. The Badger has two on the mind, Allagash White and Founders All Day IPA.

Allagash White, from Portland, ME, is a domestic craft interpretation of a traditional Belgian wheat beer. It delicately balances full flavor with a crisp, refreshing taste and subtle hints of spice. Don’t be surprised if it is a bit cloudy when you pour it – it is bottled with yeast and that’s just how you roll with it. The Badger loves this beer in summer, but found that it is a perfect accompaniment to a hearty meal or sitting your tail on the couch. I’m ashamed to say, I’ve been to Portland twice (and love the place!) but have never made it to visit the brewery.

Founders Brewing puts out a number of great beers, but the All day IPA is a Badger favorite. To be honest, the Badger isn’t a super hoppy IPA type of Mustelidae. But the all-day IPA is naturally brewed with a complex array of malts, grains and hops and well-balanced for optimal aromatic and a clean finish. Its got a ton of flavor without dropping a hop-wallop on you (though we know plenty of people who like that too). And at 4.7% ABV, you can enjoy them all day on Thanksgiving and still be awake for the night game.

You won’t go wrong with either, and there are certainly a number of other options. Whatever your imbibing on Thursday, the Badger hopes you have a fantastic, relaxing, enjoyable Thanksgiving.