Friday, September 13, 2024

Looking for some Holiday Spirit to Share with Friends and Family? Let the Experts Help You

Here are some recommendations on what to drink with your holiday meals. (Courtesy of Precarious Beer Project)

HISTORIC TRIANGLE — Planning a holiday meal is no small task. There are endless lists of things to plan, from the main courses and the sides, the appetizers and the desserts, the table décor, to the seating chart. Just when you think you’ve checked all of the boxes, a thought crosses your mind: “Oh wait… What is everyone going to drink?” Lucky for you, the Historic Triangle is brimming with locally-owned breweries and distilleries. Here is what some of them suggest that you bring to your next holiday feast.

Ghost Wind Stout (Courtesy of Billsburg Brewery)

Billsburg Brewery2054 Jamestown Road

“To help make your turkey star of the show pair it with Planet 4 our red ale.  The browning during the brewing process is similar to the caramelizing that happens to a turkey while roasting in the oven. One thing I look forward to at Thanksgiving is Sweet Potatoes Casserole with Marshmallows. Since this dish has very sweet flavors try pairing it with a hoppy IPA like Fly Away the bitterness of an India Pale Ale will enhance the sweet flavors on your palate.  Finally, what is dinner without desert most people think that lighter beers should be paired with bold flavors, like the flavors in pumpkin pie but a good stout like our Ghost Wind Stout.  The reason is because the strong flavors in our stout will complement and help bring out the flavors in your pie.”

-General Manager Eric Williams

“Great Turkish Bombard” Turkish Coffee Stout (Courtesy of Brass Cannon Brewery)

Brass Cannon Brewing5476 Mooretown Road

Winter Warmer– A dark ruby-colored spice ale. The spice flavors start the tasting experience and are backed up by mild vanilla and malt tones that gently coat the tongue and throat. Meanwhile, the spices linger long enough to remind one of a cold winter morning and grandmother’s fresh baked cookies.(Recommendation courtesy of Tap Room Manager Sarah Adams.)

Great Turkish Bombard– This libation is a coffee and cardamom experience that’s only here once a year. It’s a Turkish Coffee Stout known for its explosive flavor. (Recommendation courtesy of Tap Room Manager Sarah Adams.)

(Courtesy of Eight Shires Coloniale Distillery)

Eight Shires Coloniale Distillery, 1728 Merrimac Trail

“Our Warrosquoke Shire Bourbon is a classic hit with those who are passing through Williamsburg or have lived here all their lives. It’s been our number one seller for years. People enjoy the distinct notes, not just from the aging process, but from our unique colonial mash consisting of Heritage Indian Corn, Red Winter Wheat, and Malted Barley. Customers have mentioned hints of raisin, tangerine, dark fruit, oak, toffees, and caramel as well as complimented our bourbon saying it’s one ‘where you can really taste the barrel!’

For something a little more festive this season, we recommend our Accomac Shire Spiced Rum! A lively blend of 14 Colonial Era spices; the kind of warming, mulling spice you might find in an apple or pumpkin pie. Unlike other spiced rums, the tongue is not hit with a quickly fading hint of cinnamon. Instead, Accomac Shire lets the taste buds enjoy a lingering array of clove, allspice, molasses, and more. It’s wonderful on its own, in cola, or (our favorite way to drink it) with fresh apple cider! The holiday season is here and it makes the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone on your list!”

-Distillery Manager Tucker Casanova

(Courtesy of Precarious Beer Project)

Precarious Beer Project, 110 S Henry Street

No Politics At The Table, which we refer to as a ‘Danksgiving’ Hazy IPA with Azacca & Idaho Gem. 7.0% ABV

You Ain’t Got Muffin On Me, a holiday muffin inspired sour ale with Cranberry, Orange, Cinnamon, & Lactose. 5.8% ABV

Big Ass Deals, an imperial Stout aged in Buffalo Trace Barrels for 10 months. 10% ABV *releasing on Black Friday Nov. 26.”

-Director of Brewing Operations Julie Tridente

(Courtesy of Consociate Media)

Silver Hand Meadery, 224 Monticello Avenue

A lot of Silver Hand Meadery’s offerings would be a perfect pairing for your Thanksgiving feast. However, Scarborough Fair, Silver Hand Meadery’s original metheglin, is a staff favorite for Turkey Day. The rosemary and thyme compliment the array of seasonal flavors and almost acts as an additional layer of seasoning to the food. The herbs used in this mead are commonly used in Thanksgiving cooking so it’s a natural fit.

Virginia Beer Company, 401 Second Street

(Courtesy of Virginia Beer Company)

“This holiday season, [The] Virginia Beer Company will usher in the return of our Evil Santa series of 7% ABV [Alcohol Above Volume] Spiced Milk Stouts. Evil Santa (brewed with Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, & Milk Sugar) returns annually with an array of variants, including Double Chocolate Espresso (brewed with Cacao Nibs & Espresso) and Vanilla Latte (brewed with Vanilla & Coffee). New to the base lineup this year will be Peppermint Hot Chocolate Evil Santa (brewed with Peppermint, Vanilla, Marshmallows, & Cacao Nibs)! On Black Friday Nov. 26 we will release Double Evil Santa, an 11.3% abv Imperial version aged in Bourbon Barrels. Then for the first time ever, we will release a super limited Double Evil Santa variant aged in Apple Brandy Barrels on Saturday, Dec. 4! All of these releases tie in with our annual food & goods drive for House of Mercy, holiday music pop-ups throughout December, and an ‘Evil SantaCon’ coming to the brewery on Dec. 18.”- VBC Co-Founder Robby Willey

So don’t forget to shop local this holiday season to find the perfect pairings for your celebration meals.

Related Articles

MORE FROM AUTHOR