This picture was sent in from @benwilderv today! If you’re gonna go stick up your car, we say, make it a good sticker! Been somewhere and seen a Bruisin’ Ales or beerlanthropy® sticker? Take a picture and send it to us! It goes on the bloggy-blog!

Every year, we make a few suggestions about serving beer at the Thanksgiving table. While wine always still seems to be in the forefront of a fancy sit-down, lovers of beer know that the complex flavors of our favorite beverage are much better at complimenting/contrasting the tastes of the holiday season. (Let’s not forget that beer is also a wonderful burst of flavor in the cooking process, too.) Here are a few recommendations. Share with the family and do a full beer-pairing with your meal! We’re linking to BeerAdvocate ratings here, so you can read what others taste in the beer. Reviews help! And while you may experience completely different flavors on your palette, reading what others taste is helpful.

TURKEY: Even though it’s a bird, and most typically pair white wine with it, turkey actually is mostly dark meat (compared to chicken). This means a heftier brew will pair nicely with it, no matter how you prepare it. For roasted birds, we usually try to contrast the with the bird’s flavor. Try Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux (750ml), the winter Saison seasonal by Dupont, famous for resurrecting the Saison style with Saison Dupont (750ml, also a great pairing, but a little lighter on the palette). Avec Les Bons Voeux is lightly spiced with quite a bit of alcohol [9.5% abv]. Saisons are also known for their grassy, earthy flavors (Jason calls this “horse blanket”) that bring a certain organic “taste of the season” to the table. Another American craft that is available year-round, but particularly delicious with a holiday meal, is Dogfish Head Raison d’Etre. A darker selection than the prior recommendation, this Belgian-style brown ale [8.0% abv] has the taste of roasted malt and caramelized raisins. Finally, a craft beer that does the job right is the 2009 Allagash Fluxus (750ml). The recipe on Fluxus changes annually. This year’s release is pretty rare, even for a small-batch brew—a Belgian-style Saison made with sweet potatoes and black pepper [8.5% abv]. It carries the alcohol very well with the sweet, sinuous character of the potatoes followed by a lovely spiced black pepper finish on the back of the throat. Delicious! This one is VERY limited, so get it while you can!

SMOKED TURKEY/HAM: Smoking turkeys is a popular way of preparing the bird in the South. Also, many families prefer to serve ham at the table. For these stronger, smoky flavors, we suggest something that compliments the flavor. De Molen Pek and Veren (750ml) is a fantastic pairing for ham. This Dutch stout carries an [8.0% abv] and offers a unique twist from its peat-smoked malt. Smoked meats and cheeses pair very well with this beer. The Italian beer, Le Baladin Super Baladin (750ml), is a sour ale in the Flemish style, but lighter in color. The tartness—think sweet and sour cherries—is toned down by the smokiness of the meat, giving you a great balance of flavor. (Note: Flemish-style sour ales are often “gateway beers” for red wine drinkers.) Finally, a German recommendation: Weihenstephan Korbinian Doppelbock. A popular choice at Bruisin’ Ales, this doppelbock tastes of roasted, almost burnt, grain with hints of dark fruit and caramel.

OTHERS TO TRY:
The Bruery Black Orchard (750ml): This “black witbier” is like a witbier gone to the dark side. Just a bit more body (and balance) than a true white witbier with additional malt, this one has subtle spices of chamomile along side the traditional spices of coriander and citrus peel. Very refreshing and surprisingly light at [5.7% abv]. Dark does not necessarily mean a “heavy” beer!

Traquair Jacobite (12oz): This English ale is a traditional Wee-Heavy with a twist. Based on an 18th-century recipe, it has the addition of coriander and chocolate malt, adding hints of earthy biscuity flavors, brown sugar, cocoa and dark fruit. [8.0% abv]

Smuttynose Wheat Wine (22oz): Wheat wines from several breweries have made a big impact in 2009. By combining the characteristics of a traditional Barleywine with the bready, chewy mouthfeel of a wheat beer, these are perfect for the holiday table. Hefty, warming and sweeter than our other recommendations, Wheat Wines are actually very versatile. This one also has a pretty hefty dose of hops in it, making it a true American style. Nice combination of sweet up front and bitter on the finish. [10.5% abv]

Meantime London Porter (750ml): England is home to the true Porter style, and frankly, you can’t beat the real thing. Meantime’s is based on a recipe from 1750 and has no less than seven different types of malt used. Super roasty, smoky, and little sweet, this traditional porter gets its bite from the malts, although hops are used in the brewing process. [6.5% abv]

If you need a specific recommendation for your holiday table, don’t be afraid to ask us. Jason, Mike or I will be happy to assist you to find the perfect Thanksgiving beers for your table! Cheers!

ABITA Christmas Ale*
AYINGER Jahrhundert Lager
AYINGER Weizenbock
BELL’S Christmas Ale*
BREWDOG/STONE BREWING CO. Bashah*
CATAWBA VALLEY King Coconut Porter*
CORSENDONK Christmas Ale*
DE DOLLE Stille Nacht
DE KONINCK Winterkoninck*
DE REGENBOOG t’Smisje Kerst*
DUBUISSON Scaldis Noël*
DUPONT Avec le Bons Voeux 2009*
FANTOME de Noel*
FANTOME Hiver*
FRENCH BROAD Wee-Heavy-est*
HEAVY SEAS Hang Ten*
HITACHINO Commemorative Ale*
KIND BEERS Belgian Red Ale*
KONINGSHOEVEN Bock
LA CHOULETTE La Choullette de Noël*
LE BALADIN Noël*
LE BALADIN Xyauyù Fume
MAHR’S Christmas Bock*
MIKKELLER From/To*
MOYLAN’S IPA
OLDE HICKORY Bardstown Bourbon-aged Barleywine (2006)
PISGAH India Pale Ale* (22oz)
PISGAH Porter (22oz/growlers)
PISGAH Vortex I Triple IPA* (22oz)
RIDGEWAY Criminally Bad Elf*
RIDGEWAY Insanely Bad Elf*
RIDGEWAY Seriously Bad Elf*
RIDGEWAY Lump of Coal Stout*
RIDGEWAY Santa’s Butt Porter*
RIDGEWAY Warm Welcome Nut-Browned Ale*
ROGUE Yellow Snow IPA*
SAMUEL SMITH’S Winter Welcome Ale*
SCHMALTZ He’Brew Jewbelation 13*
SMUTTYNOSE Wheat Wine*
SMUTTYNOSE Winter Ale*
THIRSTY DOG 12 Dogs of Christmas*
TOMMYKNOCKER Cocoa Porter*
TOMMYKNOCKER TundraBeary
VICTORY Helios Saison
WEYERBACHER Winter Ale*
WIDMER BROTHERS Reserve: Cherry Oak Doppelbock*

On Monday, I dropped by Green Man Brewing, a.k.a. Dirty Jack’s to the locals, to try the new Double IPA, The Truth. Lucky for me, Brewer Mike was there, so I could get my beer geek on and chat a bit and let me sample some of the stuff they’ve got going on at the brewhouse (not Jack of the Wood) for the holidays season.

The Truth is a wonderful beer and I already wish they had made more of it. It’s made with all English hops (of course!) and has a wonderful floral nose to it with a citrusy-pine finish. It will really warm you up and it’s a creeper at 9.0% abv. You barely recognize the alcohol in there, so drinker beware! They’re also doing a sampling of some experimental beers that will be available in flights soon: Bacon Beer, all my dreams have come true with this one; Rosemary’s Baby, still has hops, but very much like a gruit (want this with soup); Cinnamon Girl, spicy from the fresh cinnamon and sweet on the finish (want this with sugar cookies); and, Ancho Chili, sneaky spices in the back of your throat (want this with 12 Bones). The chili beer may turn into a year-round offering in small batches, only if they can source good local chilies to cook/store.

I’m geeked about a local brewery do experimenting like this. These are not beers you’d probably want more than a half-pint of, anyway, so the whole idea of flavor experimenting in a beer flight (4 oz. portions) is awesome. My beer minions tell me that availability could start as early as Thanksgiving, but don’t hold me to that.

Asheville’s French Broad Brewery returns for the kick-off of the Wee-Heavy-est ‘09. Won’t you join us? November 19th, 5-7pm.

13 Rebels ESB: “French Broad Brewery’s interpretation of the classic UK Extra Special Bitter. A bright copper color with a complex malt palate is complemented by traditional British hops, notably East Kent Golding. French Broad has made this classic public house session beer a cult classic with its skull and crossbones artwork.” [5.2% abv]

Rye Hopper: “The Ryehopper began as a fall seasonal and has now found it’s way into our regular line-up. The brewers noticed a lack of rye beers in the Asheville area and wanted to fill that gap. This beer represents assistant brewer Chris Richards’ first recipe released by the brewery. The malted rye contributes both a rounded maltines and a sharp earthy flavor, bridging the maltiness of the barley and the bitterness of the hops. In essence, the Ryehopper is a hoppy rye beer. Seriously, what else did you expect?” [5.9% abv]

Wee Heavy-er: “Our Wee Heavy-er Scotch Ale is based on our Wee Heavy Scotch Ale recipe, but with a little more-er alcohol. This traditional Scotch Lowland ale is one of our most popular brews. Some of you may remember the original Wee-Heavy from the days when North Carolina brewers could not brew beers containing more than 6% ABV. We would like to take a moment and thank the people of Pop-the-Cap for all their hard work.” [7.0% abv]

Wee Heavy-est: Same recipe as the popular Wee Heavy-er, but with a Belgian yeast strain! [9.0% abv]

Remember a few week’s ago when we announced the arrival of new Belgian craft beers from 12 Percent Imports? Yeah, well, we totally forget to list them anywhere on here. Here’s a little list of all those, followed by some of the other awesome new beverages that arrived this week. Holiday beers! Here they come! Whee!

Eerwaarde Pater
Embrasse
Kalle Tripel
La Botteresse Brune
La Botteresse Noire
Noblesse
Piet-Agoras
Potteloereke
Sint Canarus Tripel
‘t Gaverhopke Extra
‘t Gaverhopke Singing Blond
Tournay
Tournay Black
Valeir Blond
Valeir Extra

For the holidays:
ANDERSON VALLEY Winter Solstice*
ALLAGASH Interlude
ANCHOR Christmas*
AVERY Old Jubilation*
DOGFISH HEAD Chicory Stout*
KIND BEER Belgian Red*
Ommegang Adoration*
Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome*
Sierra Nevada Celebration*
Weyerbacher Winter Ale*

ATLANTA, GA (November 15th, 2009) – SweetWater Brewery has released the newest addition to their award winning lineup. The SweetWater Tackle Box variety pack is a hefty collection of year round brews along with a “Secret Stash” brew in each box. This new package will be released in short runs, and therefore only available for a limited time as they tease the taste buds of craft beer lovers throughout the southeast beginning in Atlanta mid November. Sure to be the crowd pleaser when this gets laid out on the bar at your next holiday party.

The Tackle box will be stocked up with three of SweetWater’s most popular year round favorites plus a style that is a little something special. The box will always feature a few bottles each of the 420 Extra Pale Ale, SweetWater’s flagship west coast style pale ale, the SweetWater Blue, a lighter bodied wheat ale with hints of fresh blueberries, and SweetWater’s IPA, an unfiltered dry hopped to the gills India Pale Ale. The “Secret Stash” will change each time the package is produced and will vary based on the season. The “Secret Stash” could be the newest Catch & Release seasonal, an offering from the Dank Tank experimental series or a sneak peak at a style SweetWater is looking at for the future. You’ll have to crack open a case to find out.

The process of putting something like this together was a labor intensive and logistical challenge for SweetWater. Steve Farace, SweetWater’s Minister of Propaganda, remembered “We had this package designed 7 years ago when we were still cranking out brews in our original brewery out off of Fulton Industrial Blvd., but we just couldn’t pull together all the pieces to put it into motion.” With the brewery’s passion for the freshness of their beer, as their unpasteurized beer is best within 90 days, SweetWater had to look to outside help to make sure these cases got put together quickly, and into their wholesalers hands within hours of the beer being ready.

To make that pipe dream a reality, SweetWater Brewery has partnered with EnAble of Georgia, whose mission is “Enabling individuals with developmental disabilities to live full and independent lives in the community”. EnAble of Georgia has hand packed all of these cases. According to Amy Hines, EnAble’s Coordinator of Day & Employment Services, “our staff feels so good about being part of the community and also takes great pride in working with SweetWater directly to exceed their expectations”.

Also featured on the new Tackle Box variety pack is SweetWater’s partnership with the Atlanta Humane Society. With the tagline of “Adopt your next drinking buddy” the top panel of the Tackle Box features a unique web address encouraging people who are looking for their next dog to go to www.atlantahumane.org/sweetwaterbuddy.asp to find that lucky little guy or gal. Farace said “the relationship with the Atlanta Humane Society has been in our blood for years. The majority of the folks who work for SweetWater have dogs, and we always encourage folks looking for their next drinking buddy to look first at the Humane Society. They do amazing work down there, but there are still so many dogs that need a home, and hopefully the info and reminder on our packaging will get a few more four legged friends into some loving homes.”

Highland Brewing has a YouTube Channel
My bad for not checking YouTube enough. But AskAsheville.com linked to this nifty 3:00 min video (above) of Highland Brewing Company’s bottling line. Dig it. Subscribe to their YouTube Channel here.

Green Man Ales debuts new Double IPA
Asheville’s Green Man Ales, found Dirty Jack’s and  Jack of the Wood, made its debut of a new Double IPA yesterday. We couldn’t get out to try it, but we hope you did. Definitely going to get some of my own today! Maybe a growler for the Chicago Bears game tonight. I’m pretty sure the beer will keep me from crawling into a corner and crying. Well, maybe.

Wedge debuts Third Rail IPA
Yet another local brewery showing some love to the hopheads for the holidays. Introducing Third Rail IPA, another Double IPA. Here’s to hoping we’ll get bottles back soon. These guys just can’t keep up with y’all. Stop drinking all the Wedge, people! (Just kidding.)

Pisgah’s Baptista is resting
Honestly, I get more geeked about Baptista than any other holiday beer. It’s locally-brewed and reminds me of the beer that single-handedly started my foray into the Land of the Beer Geeks, La Binchoise Spéciale Nöel, now called Binchoise Reserve. Baptista is a Belgian Strong Pale with holiday spices and hints of orange peel. Warms you up, too, with its ever-so-light 11.5% abv. The yeast is working its magic as I type this, so expect to see it soon.

Asheville Brewing’s Christmas Jam White Ale is flying off the shelf
One of the smartest collaborations between Asheville’s closely-tied beer and music scene is the new Christmas Jam White Ale, a private label beer made for Warren Haynes Christmas Jam (tix on sale this Saturday) by Asheville Brewing Co. We can’t keep this stuff around. Already shipped to over ten different states! And our country’s foremost beer guru, Charlie Papazian, has requested bottles for review. Boo-yah! (Papazian is also the man behind the “Beer City USA” poll.)

French Broad’s Wee-Heavy-est arrives next week
One of Asheville’s most popular beers, French Broad Brewery’s Wee-Heavy-er, gets a Belgian boost for the winter months with the release of Wee-Heavy-est. We’ll be kicking off the release at next Thursday’s Tasting!

Soul of a World Class Pub, Entrepreneurs Celebrated in Homage to Hops
Local Book Chronicles American Dream, Community Infatuation with Legendary Drinking Institution

Decatur, GA—After more than twelve years of serving fish and chips and the best beers in the world, the magical influence of the Brick Store Pub, #2 rated beer bar on planet earth (BeerAdvocate) will be shared through Love at the Pub: An Insider’s Guide to Craftsmanship, Conversation, and Community at the Brick Store Pub, released Wednesday 11.11.09 online at www.loveatthepub.com and Amazon.com.

“The instant success of the Brick Store back in 1997 became the tipping point for the City of Decatur’s economic revitalization,” says author and former employee Mary Jane Mahan. “In fact, the Brick Store’s relaxed atmosphere makes it recession proof today. We need solid societal havens like this Pub without the distraction of TVs where we can talk authentically about our families, careers, and lives over a great pint and comfort food.”

Love at the Pub is a three-part tribute to warm craftsmanship, caring business philosophy, and community soul as it flows through the four walls of the Brick Store Pub. From eloping couples to Belgian ale-drinking ministers to start-up magazines, hundreds of patron “Brick Stories” are weaved into a narration that imparts an aura as friendly as Cheers, as mystical as The Alchemist, and as cool as Apple. In addition to being a portal into a world of relaxed, open barstool conversation over great beer pints, Love at the Pub is an inspirational roadmap for anyone who yearns to own and operate a world-class beer bar.

“This book is a perfect snapshot of what our community-minded Pub is all about,” says co-owner Dave Blanchard who built the Brick Store with his two business partners on sweat equity and a baseball collection for collateral. “We grew in the craft beer niche while remaining focused as a welcoming spot for the neighborhood.”

For more information, visit www.loveatthepub.com or contact the author at 404-375-3493.

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