Cruising for a brewsing by Darryl Beeson The Brewers Association has crafted, so to speak, the free for the taking 'Craft Beer and Food for the Holidays' program, highlighting the ways in which craft beer styles complement many traditional American holiday foods. Ale has been a traditional pairing, frequently mentioned in reference to the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. The website, www.beerandturkey.org is a resource for beverage and food lovers interested in fine-tuning these matches. There is information for the beer and food enthusiasts who want to learn more about what to drink and how to serve finely crafted beer with common holiday menus. There is also some of the latest information from boutiquet breweries around the nation, announcing their special holiday release beers. Here are some of the concepts to consider. The caramelized and toasted grain flavors in many beers complement the flavors of roast turkey while herbal hop additions pair well with popular holiday seasonings such as sage. Furthermore, the carbonation, fruitiness and balanced bitterness of many craft beers allow them to stand up to creamy, butter-rich preparations like mashed potatoes, creamed corn and similar fare. According the Garrett Oliver, author of “The Brewmaster’s Table,” the question often posed to sommeliers is “What wine goes best with turkey dinner?”  The answer, he says, is beer! Also, sometimes beer stands up to the sweeter items than would bruise a dry wine. Cranberry sauce, sweet potato dishes or the classic ambrosia salad can be tough on wine. “Our country’s history is rich with stories of beer and food and craft beer picks up where wine leaves off,' says Julia Herz, a spokesperson for the Brewers Association. 'Many styles of beer both complement and contrast the food they are paired with...The holiday dinner table is a very appropriate place for beer made from America’s small, independent and traditional brewers.” Below are some more suggestions listed on www.beerandturkey.org for distinct beer styles to pair with various main courses. Don't be afraid to cook or finish sauces with a few ounces of high quality brew. Traditional Roast Turkey:   The roasted and caramelized skin matches well with amber ale, a strong golden ale or an amber lager in the Vienna style. Smoked Turkey: If your store or local brewery offers a smoked beer, that can serve as a complement to smoked turkey as well.  Look for a porter, Scotch ale or amber ale in the smoked style. Cajun Turkey:  Celebrated beer writer and New Mexico resident Stan Hieronymus suggests a malty IPA to go with Cajun turkey recipes. For a malty alternative that will stand up to the heat, try a dark bock or strong Scotch ale. Ham:  Like the fruit and cloves often used to prepare ham, the fruity, clove notes in weizen or the stronger weizenbock complement ham at the dinner table. Duck:   The darker meat of duck offers a richer flavor than turkey and can stand up to a richer beer as well. Here a Belgian-inspired dubbel or a hearty Oktoberfest lager would go well. Goose:  Here a richer beer than you would choose for turkey is in order. A Belgian-style triple or biere de garde would work well as would a bock or Scotch ale. Salmon:   A dunkel lager or Scottish ale can offer a clean toasted malt note to offset the firm flavors of salmon without a lot of bitterness that would overwhelm the fish. Other options would include a mild ale or steam beer. Leg of Lamb:   Pale ales provide a pleasant foil to lamb with a spicy or herbal character to complement the character of the meat along with some toasted malt notes. Or for more harmony with the roasted flavors of the meat, try a hoppy brown ale or porter.  Beef Tenderloin:    This rich hearty cut of meat deserves a robust beer as a counterpoint but also calls for some contrast to clear the palate between bites. The ideal companion would be an IPA or Imperial IPA.  Other options might include a tripel or old ale. Based in Boulder, Colo., U.S.A., the Brewers Association (BA) is an education association for American craft brewers and the community of beer enthusiasts. Visit the website: www.beertown.org to learn more. The association’s activities include events and publishing useful information. The Brewers Association has an additional membership division of more than 15,000 homebrewers: American Homebrewers Association. For more great wine suggestions, click here Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com Copyright © 1998 Inter Active Media Solutions. All Rights Reserved. The interactive components of this site require that you use a current browser version of Explorer; be sure to maximize your window out so you can see the entire page. This page was created by Inter Active Media Solutions.