WINE AND BEER PAIRING

Recommendations from the experts

It’s no secret that some of many people’s favorite things about the holidays are the food and drinks that come with their festive gatherings. Whether you’re throwing a large holiday party or just hosting your close family members, you’ll want to make sure everyone has a chance to relax and unwind with perfect food and beverage combinations. Here are some beer and wine pairings from the experts to help your party be the most unforgettable of the year. Christmas Ale

Brouwerij St. Bernardus (Watou, Belgium) — Belgian Strong Dark, 10 percent ABV

“One of my favorite styles during the cooler months is the Belgian Strong Dark, and St. Bernardus is one of the best producers,” said Joey Williams, inventory specialist and resident “beer nerd” at Spec’s Smith Street store. “The ABT 12 is available to us throughout the year, and I highly recommend it for a meal where you might have a fruit-forward red wine, but the Christmas accents that rich, dark fruit characteristic with subtle, warm baking spices is still welcome alongside dinner, but also perfect for after-dinner sipping.”

Pairing suggestions: “This beer will go with just about any roasted meat or vegetable,” Williams said. “The deep, rich flavor, slight char and caramelization of a good roasting make it a perfect match.”

Saison

Brasserie Dupont (Tourpes, Belgium) — Belgian Saison, 6.5 percent ABV

“The holidays are about family and food, both enjoyed that much more with good beer,” Williams said. “Saison Dupont is believed to be one of the best ‘food beers,’ and it’s definitely my ‘desert island beer.’

“It’s approachable enough to please every family member old enough for, and open to, beer. Light, crisp and easy, it has a sparkling effervescent, light year-derived fruitiness and peppery, dry finish.

“(It’s) perfect for just about everything on the table, but even better for conversation and catching up.”

Pairing suggestions: Williams recommends pairing this beer with roast turkey (dark meat) and green bean casserole.

“The beer has enough carbonation and a dry enough finish to cut through any gravy or sauce and the flavors are such that it will add to just about every bite,” he said.

Spruce Tip Sculpin

Ballast Point Brewing Company (San Diego, California) — American IPA, 7 percent ABV

“The addition of things like spruce tips in beer is a long history and isn’t only associated with beer, but when I saw this variation on Ballast Point’s category defining IPA, it had me excited for a winter seasonal that wasn’t dark and/or spiced,” Williams said. “The minty, herbal spruce tips add an interesting accent to the bright, juicy IPA.”

Pairing suggestions: Williams recommends pairing this beer with tamales.

“The bright, almost citrus quality of IPAs like Sculpin lend themselves to Mexican/ Tex-Mex flavors, and the spruce will provide even more points of complement/contrast, especially when salsa verde is included,” he said.

Twisted Paso Pinot Noir

“If your preference in red wines is for something lighter, this wine from California’s Central Coast is one of my favorites,” said Alan Dennis, a wine expert at Spec’s. “It’s ripe and fruit-forward while maintaining a delicate structure bursting with fresh acidity.”

Pairing suggestion: “When I’m picking wines to take to Thanksgiving, I look for versatility — as in, what can I bring that will pair with turkey or ham (or even tamales) as well as the plethora of diverse sides I know are showing up?” Dennis said.

Chateau Pegau “Cuvee Setier”

“If you want something slightly heavier, a southern Rhone wine like this one is an outstanding option,” Dennis said. “Comprised mostly of grenache (with syrah and mourvedre making up the remainder), this wine has a bit more body to it than a pinot noir, but lacks the tannin and astringency of more traditional domestic full-bodied reds such as cabernet sauvignon or merlot.”

Pairing suggestion: “If ham is the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving buffet, this would be ideal,” Dennis said.

Becker Landgraf Dry Riesling

“My taste in Thanksgiving whites generally runs toward lighter wines with more acid,” Dennis said. “Consumers feeling adventurous enough to go outside the box and try this wine from Germany will be rewarded with intensely aromatic floral and citrus notes, complemented by a mineralrich palate with no residual sugar.”

Pairing suggestion: “The flavors and texture make this a perfect complement to salty or crunchy sides like green bean casserole or Brussels sprouts with bacon,” he said.

Shannon Ridge Sauvignon Blanc

“This wine from Lake County is a more traditional lighter white selection for Thanksgiving,” Dennis said. “This California sauvignon blanc has a similar body and acid structure to it as the Riesling, but is more tropical and fruit-forward.”

Pairing suggestion: “Although it’s not my favorite dish, this actually goes great with roasted butternut squash,” Dennis said.

Ca’Momi Chardonnay

“This wine is another exceptional traditional, but heavier, white wine option from the Napa Valley,” Dennis said.

Pairing suggestion: “Creamy and rich but well-balanced, this would be best served alongside garlic mashed potatoes — provided you use as much butter in yours as I do,” Dennis said.

Triennes Rose

“Because rose wines are no longer seasonal and there’s always room for bubbles, this (one) from Provence is a fun option,” Dennis said.

Pairing suggestion: “Aromatic and soft, this is definitely a candidate to pair to stuffing with fresh herbs,” Dennis said.

Ca’Sisa Prosecco

“Another option to bring bubbles to the table just for fun, this wine from Treviso would make a great addition to any dinner table,” Dennis said.

Pairing suggestion: “You can serve these as an aperitif, do them during the meal with a side like creamed spinach, or end the night with them. No matter what you choose, everyone is leaving happy,” Dennis said.

Tuli Pinot Noir

“This pinot noir pairs well with turkey on Thanksgiving,” said Brittany Thomas, senior wine buyer at Total Wine & More.

Ch Larrivet Haut Brion Pessac

Thomas recommends pairing this Bordeaux wine with hearty meat dishes.

69 Miles Chardonnay

“This chardonnay pairs great with lobster and shrimp,” Thomas said.

La Vostra Prosecco

“This sparkling wine is great for celebrations and aperitifs,” Thomas said.

Sextant Cabernet Paso Thomas recommends pairing this cabernet with prime rib. Torial Zinfindal Red Blend

“This wine is a great option to pair with steak,” Thomas said.

Tenuta di Renieri Chianti Classico

“This Italian wine is perfect to pair with classic pasta dishes,” Thomas said.