Dating back to the 17th century, the Bock beer style is a stronger, denser beer, creating a drink that’s not only more filling and has more calories to help you get through the day, but actually has more vitamins, minerals and disease fighting polyphenols! See what I mean, the Monks have got it all figured out. As if the Bock style wasn’t already suited to being a drink that’s great for fasting, the Doppelbock (or double bock) style was specifically created as a liquid meal for these Monks during Lent.

So if you didn’t give up alcohol for Lent, or already caved on something else, pay tribute to the Catholic Monks of Germany by having a cold pint of Bock or Doppelbock beer.

Keep reading on some ideas of what to try out…

Almost any beer that ends in with the letters “ator” will be a Doppelbock. Some notable examples are Ayinger Celebrator, Paulaner Salvator, and Spaten Optimator.

If you’d prefer to stay local, Abita happens to have a trio of Bocks out right now. The Abita Mardi Gras Bock (Maibock), Andygator (Helles Doppelbock), and the new Select Doppelbock.

For more information about the history of Lent and Bock beers, see this entry from Michael Jackson’s Beerhunter.

Lets not forget that the Pilgrims on the Mayflower landed on Plymouth rock because they ran out of beer…

Before the Feast

Before you get down to business at the dinner table, you want a beverage that’s not going to kill your taste buds. So start the day with a nice pilsner or a lager. For Pilsners, try Chekavar (the original Budweiser), Troegs’ Sunshine Pils, and of course the original (literally), Pilsner Urquell.

Don’t want something so hoppy, try a mild lager. Spaten Lager, Harp, Flying Dog’s Amber Lager, and Sam Adams Boston Lager all make great choices. Of course, you can stay local and go with Abita’s Amber or Fall Fest, or even Dixie if you can find it.

On to the Feast!

There are two ways you can try and pair beer with your Thanksgiving meal. You can keep drinking the Pilsners and Lagers from before. They’ll act as a palate cleaner, and their light and crisp hoppiness will go well with any poultry you may be eating (yes, even Turducken).

The other option is to have something higher in alcohol to cut through the fat and starches, add a bit of sweetness and provide a wide range of complementary flavors. If you’re more accustomed to having wine at the dinner table, this would be the option to go with, and personally, it’s what I’d do as well.

Some great options in this realm would be North Coast’s Pranqster, Unibroue’s Don de Dieu, Brasserie Dupont’s Moinette or Delirium Tremens.

…Time to shove in Dessert

As everyone knows, dessert goes into a separate stomach, so there’s always room for it. Which is good news because while wine doesn’t really pair all that well with traditional Thanksgiving dessert fair, beer certainly can. Rogue’s Chocolate Stout or Hazelnut Brown, and Young’s Double Chocolate Stout would all go great with pumpkin and pecan pies. If you like coffee with your dessert, then you’ll love Brasserie Dieu du Ciel’s Peche Mortel with it’s strong coffee and chocolate flavors. It’s hard to beat Peche Mortel with pecan pie.

You should be able to find these beers at Whole Foods, Stein’s Market and Deli, Cork and Bottle, and Martin Wine Cellar. Some may even be available at Rouse’s

What kept making me chuckle each time this commercial aired, however, is that they chose September 2008, just a couple months after being bought out by the Belgian/Brazilian juggernaut that is InBev, to launch a beer called American Ale. Whether it’s just bad timing, or them pandering to those that clung to Bud after Miller and Coors were bought out by foreign companies years ago is anyone’s guess. What’s next, Guinness American Stout? Stella Ameritois? Coronamerican?

So in response to the thousands of airings of the commercial during this football game and during all the rest of the season, here’s a list of actual American Ales you can get in New Orleans to drink while watching the Saints head to the Superbowl!

Local
Abita Turbodog
Abita Jockamo
Abita Restoration
Abita Pecan

From the rest of the Union
Anchor Old Foghorn Ale
Anchor Liberty Ale (can you get more American than this?)

Flying Dog Pale Ale
Flying Dog Road Dog
Flying Dog Snake Dog
Flying Dog Tire Bite

Full Sail Amber
Full Sail Pale Ale
Full Sail IPA

North Coast Acme Pale Ale
North Coast Blue Star Wheat
North Coast Pranqster
North Coast Red Seal Ale
North Coast Old Stock
North Coast Old Rasputin

Red Hook Longhammer
Red Hook ESB

Rogue Chocolate Stout
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Rogue Hazelnut Brown
Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Porter
Sierra Nevada Summer
Sierra Nevada Anniversary

Troegs Rugged Trail Brown
Troegs HopBack Amber
Troegs Dreamweaver Wheat

While all of these are American Ales, they’re not all beers you’d want to drink for 2-3 hours while watching a game. As Saints season gets rolling and as Hornets season gears up, stay tuned for the All American Session Beer Shootout. I’ll be compiling a list of the best session beers you can get in New Orleans to drink while watching the Saints and Hornets have an amazing year.