For those hospitality venues with an American theme, 24/25 November offers a major opportunity to drive business. Even those bars, restaurants or diners that are not themed to America could benefit from the following events.
Thanksgiving is on Thursday 24th November when Americans traditionally celebrate the autumn harvest with a day of feasting and imbibing, and on Friday 25th November England take on the USA in the group rounds of the football World Cup.
This double-whammy presents a good opportunity to stock American craft beer and mark two high profile U.S. occasions. American craft beer is the perfect partner for many food dishes and will elevate the diner’s gastronomic experience into something special. Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce is the centrepiece of the Thanksgiving dinner table but here’s a guide to pairing American craft beer with favourite American foods:
Hamburger/ribs/Texas Barbecue – stouts, porters or brown ale lend themselves perfectly to rich, meaty flavours. The roasty, toasty, caramelised malt profile in most dark beers compliment the depth of flavour in beef, pork of meat-based dishes. Try Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale
Fried Chicken – a dish firmly rooted in U.S. culture and great with a vibrant pale ale or IPA that will pair well with the flavours of the chicken. Not only will the pairing taste delicious but the scrubbing effect of carbonation will lift fat off the palate to leave the diner feeling refreshed and ready for the next mouthful. Try Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale
Mac n Cheese – or Macaroni Cheese, the ultimate comfort food which cries out for a crisp, light lager to accompany it. Try DC Brau Tuk Tuk International Style Lager
Clam Chowder – originally from the East coast of America and works well with a wheatbeer or lighter style to showcase the delicate flavours of seafood. Try Sierra Nevada Sunny Little Thing
Apple Pie – the classic and iconic American dessert. IPAs with their flavoursome, fruit-forward hop profiles and citrussy or tropical complexities are the perfect match but alcohol-free versions will pair just as well. Try Athletic Run Wild IPA
Caterers and chefs are welcome to make use of the wealth of free resources, available on www.brewersassociation.org or www.Craftbeer.com
The UK is the largest European export market for American craft beer accounting for 8.4% of all exports. It is available from Athletic Brewing, Sierra Nevada Shop UK or select national wholesalers.
