A historical account tells of the early Plymouth Colony settlers sharing a Thanksgiving meal with members of the local Wampanoag tribe in Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1621. They were drinking hard cider, though a pint would have been the preferred choice. (Photographic reference Frederic Lewis/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Despite the excellence of wine for certain occasions, beer most definitely merits its place when the family gathers for Thanksgiving. The vast spectrum of flavors, levels of alcohol, and array of colors possessed by beer render it the perfect drink for each part of your feast.

This is not a modern innovation. The Pilgrims initially settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts because they had run out of beer and could not continue their voyage further south. Although they would have preferred a pint of ale during the first Thanksgiving, hard cider and water were the actual beverages served.

To help you plan for the grand day, here are a few pairing suggestions that include the turkey, sides, and most significantly, the pies!

Belgian ales such as a spritzy tripel pair well with the flavor notes of turkey.

The Belgian beer styles are a perfect match for turkey and I am particularly fond of the tripel as it is highly carbonated. This characteristic of bubbles effectively cleanses your palate after each bite of rich, gravy doused turkey. Belgian tripels, with their golden color and flavors of spice and pear, add a unique salty/sweet contrast to the main course. Additionally, they have a higher alcohol content (around 9.5% ABV), hence, not as potent as wine, but a close second!

Beers I recommend: Chimay Cinq Cents Tripel (White Cap), Westmalle Tripel

The understated brown ale is also a wonderful companion to side dishes such as mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and stuffing.

The unique combination of salty and nutty flavor found in stuffing complements perfectly with the sweet yet nutty brown ale. It’s unfortunate that American brown ales aren’t getting the appreciation they deserve these days, since they make a fantastic pairing with a variety of dishes, particularly during the harvest season and the colder times of the year. They can be enjoyed excellently with mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.

Suggested beers: Avery Ellie’s Brown, Bell’s Best Brown

Belgian saisons have a marvelous synergy with many aspects of the Thanksgiving meal, but they are particularly good with cranberry sauce.

In my opinion, saisons are the second best type of beer to have at Thanksgiving, thanks to, you guessed it, those knowledgeable Belgians who excel at creating beers that go wonderfully with food. Saisons, a vast beer style, are generally golden in color in America, with high levels of carbonation and a hint of spiciness that makes them dry and invigorating. When the tartness of the cranberry sauce on a fine slice of turkey blends with the peppery aroma of the saison, the result is simply outstanding. For an impressive table display, choose the 750mL bottle of Saison Dupont, which is topped with a champagne-like cork and cage.

Recommended beers: Saison Dupont, Boulevard Tank 7, Ommegang Hennepin

Beer can serve as an exciting and flavorful addition to a multitude of dishes, providing added layers of fruit, caramel, or other flavors.

High in ABV and hailing originally from Scotland, a Scotch ale, also known as a “Wee Heavy,” carries a robust and pure caramel/toffee profile. This beer’s caramel tones offer a complementary contrast to the spices of a pumpkin pie, akin to the addition of caramel itself to every delectable bite. As this beer lessens the spice level, its sweetness forms a harmonious blend with the flaky crust of the pie.

Recommended beers: Oskar Blues Old Chub, KettleHouse Cold Smoke

Barleywines are a perfect finale to the day as they complement many desserts quite nicely.

Apple pie, the undisputed monarch of Thanksgiving desserts, happens to be a crowd favorite in my family. For this timeless sweet treat, a high ABV beer like a barleywine is the recommended accompaniment. This name for this type of beer, which hails from the United Kingdom, can be misleading as there’s no wine involved. It’s referred to as barleywine due to its high alcohol content, often exceeding that of wine.

Oozing with flavors of toffee, caramel, or dark fruits like figs and plums, Barleywine somewhat resembles a Scotch ale, but with a higher ABV. These flavors mesh wonderfully with the apple and cinnamon notes. Barleywines serve as a fantastic way to wrap up the celebratory event.

Suggested beers: Firestone Walker Sucaba, Fox Farm Copestone, Revolution Straight Jacket

Here’s to you this holiday season and remember to celebrate responsibly and surround yourself with people you care about. Cheers!