Trying to figure out what to drink this Turkey Day? Let Backyard Road Trips help! Between sessionable beers to watch during the football games, an earthy Saison, and a robust after-dinner quad, there’s plenty of excellent beer to enjoy this Thanksgiving!
Football Watching
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Even though the Pats don’t typically play on Thanksgiving Day, Boston Lager is a perfect football-watching beer. It’s full-bodied, with a relatively low ABV. It’s easy to toast with friends and family, and it will be a hit with both your craft beer fans and the Budweiser set.
Sierra Nevada Celebration or Pale Ale
Another crowd-pleaser is Sierra Nevada. You can’t go wrong with either the classic Pale Ale or, since the season is upon us, the Celebration IPA. Celebration is more full-bodied and hoppier at 6.8% ABV, while the pale ale clocks in at 5.6% ABV and is a bit mellower. Either is a great accompaniment for some football action.
With the Meal
Saison Dupont
This classic Belgian Saison is a winner. It’s got those trademark earthy, peppery, and slightly fruity flavors, with a touch of citrus and spice. That super high carbonation is key—it’s like a scrub brush for your palate, slicing right through the heaviness of Thanksgiving staples like gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. And because it finishes dry, it won’t steamroll the subtle flavors of the turkey or sides, making it a smart and flexible choice for the whole holiday feast.
Jack’s Abby Cranberry Chaos
Although the name sounds WILD, this cranberry and orange lager isn’t extreme. It’s the perfect accompaniment to the cranberry sauce and with a lighter finish that also keeps the turkey’s flavor as central to the Thanksgiving dinner. Whenever you dive in for the cranberry sauce, keep this beer handy for a double cranberry explosion.
In the Evening
Mayflower Brewing Company Thanksgiving Ale
This classic English Strong Ale from Plymouth’s Mayflower Brewing is an autumnal staple that practically screams “Thanksgiving” (hence the name). First, it’s brewed in America’s Hometown–the site of the First Thanksgiving. It has a rich, nutty, and slightly sweet backbone, often featuring notes of caramel and toasted bread.
It’s the perfect after-dinner beer because it’s flavorful and substantial without being overwhelmingly heavy or boozy. It offers a comforting warmth, making it ideal for settling in after the big meal, and its mild spice or earthy hop character can still cut through any lingering richness from dessert (such as a slice of pumpkin or apple pie). It’s a beer that invites slow sipping and post-meal reflection. A new version is released annually, so pick up yours today!
Brewery Omegang Three Philosophers
Our heaviest beer rounds out the six-pack of Thanksgiving Beers. If you thought the Mayflower Thanksgiving Ale is a slow sipper, then this one drinks like molasses. This Quad, at 9.7% ABV, is full of flavor, with notes of caramel, chocolate, and cherries. Relish every taste as you look back on your full six-pack of Thanksgiving beers.
Massachusetts beers are fitting to be enjoyed on Thanksgiving, so Jack’s Abby, Mayflower, and Sam Adams all make complete sense to be included in this six-pack. Sierra Nevada is a sessionable beer with plenty of taste that is perfect for cheering on your favorite football team. Saison Dupont goes well with the Thanksgiving feast, and after a few sips of Three Philosophers and all of that turkey, you’ll be fast asleep on the couch. No Black Friday shopping for you!
