Be Less Disappointing this Thanksgiving With These Louisville Beers

As the fall colors and chilly evenings arrive, it’s time once again to gather with family and friends (even if it’s virtually this year) to celebrate all that we have to be thankful for, and relive all the ways that you’ve disappointed them, yet again, this year.

Without a doubt their biggest disappointment will be your continued obsession with this thing you call “Craft” beer.

YOUR MOM: “You spent HOW much on that 4 pack of fruit juice, Jimothy? But you sleep on a futon!”

YOU:

With this list of 7 great, Louisville-made gateway beers (almost all of which can be found at your local grocery store -- we recommend ValuMarket, Mid City Mall) you’ll remind them of the crisp lagers they're used to, but also show them that there’s so much more great beer out there... and that maybe... just maybe... you’re not a complete degenerate.

With each beer, we’ll also provided recommendations for other Louisville made gateway beers we think they’ll love!

New to Louisville Ale Trail? Our passport packages make great holiday gifts.

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1. Sprockets (German Lager) - Gravely Brewing Co.

Who It's For: Uncle Phil

“Thanks, but I only drink award-winning German Lagers.” says your snooty Uncle Phil as you hand him a cold can of Gravely's Sprockets Pilsner.
​
It’s hard to argue with him because his sweater-vest game is strong, but this year you’ve got a secret weapon.

“Well, that’s funny, Uncle Phil 'cause this German Lager is so drinkable and true-to-style, that it just won a First Place at the Great American Beer Festival.”

He takes a sip and glances down his nose at you, as if really seeing you for the first time,

“Listen Son,” he says with a gleam in his eye, “why don’t you come down to the club with me some time and hit a few balls around?”

MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND:
SWOOLY (Tropical, Jalapeno Kolsch) - 3rd Turn Brewing
FALLOUT DUST (Black Peppercorn Infused Pale Ale) - Apocalypse Brew Works

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2. Fehr's X/L - (PreProhibition Lager) - Akasha

Who It's For: Old Grand-Dad

“It’s not just a craft beer, grand-dad. It’s Louisville history in a can!”

Now that he sees you’re getting emotional he becomes even more laconic and crosses his arms. Time to hit him where it hurts:

“You know, Frank Fehr was a German immigrant who came to our fair shores and began brewing at the Fehr's City brewery in 1872. Fehr's XL lager won the Southern Exposition from 1883 to 1888 and was said to be the most widely consumed beer in Louisville!”

You pull down the sleeve of your sweater before he sees all this written on your arm and you hand him a can of this cold, pre-prohibition American lager from Akasha. 

He sniffs at it and his expression softens,

“History in a can you say?”
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MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND:
UNCAGED (San Francisco Style Lager) - Chimera Brewing

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3. Tangerine Barstow (Wheat ALe w Tangerine)
​- Mile Wide Beer Co.

WHO IT'S FOR: Aunt Karen

"And then I said, 'We'll, there's no price tag on it - so it must be free, right?'"

Aunt Karen cackles at her own joke and nearly spills her third cosmopolitan before knocking back the rest of the glass.

"Fix your aunty another, junior. And make it snappy." (more cackling.)

Your mother mouths "no" from across the kitchen and tilts her thumb and pinkie finger to her mouth. Instead of reaching for the Citron, you pull out a Tangerine Barstow from Mile Wide.

She turns up her nose, "Eww. You know I hate those bitter lagers."

"I know, Aunt Karen. But all they had were lagers, so I demanded to speak to the manager."

Is that a small tear of pride, or her Botox leaking?
​
"I told him my Aunt Karen doesn't like 'normal ' beers. So he pointed this out to me special. It's an American Wheat Ale with delicious Tangerine and I got it especially for you!"

"Mmmmm." she says, taking a big glug. "You know who would love this? Your Cousin Dannny. He's got such great taste, wish they could be here, they're so busy with the baaaby, and did I tell you he just got ANOTHER promotion? What do you do again?"

You sigh, crack a crisp, clean, sessionable Barstow for yourself and smile through the pain.

MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND:
TANGERINE G (Tangerine Gose) - Atrium Brewing

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4. Louisville Lager (WOOD AGED LAGER) - Goodwood Brewery

WHO IT'S FOR: DEAR OLD DAD

"Heyya, kiddo!" calls Dad, "Come watch the game with me?" 

Honestly, you know as much about sports as he knows about historical Belgian lambic production, but you love spending time with the old man.

"Sure, Dad. Need a beer?"

"Is the Pope Catholic?"

You crack a couple cold Louisville Lagers from Goodwood.

"You know Dad," you say as he takes a sip, "this Louisville lager beer is made from 100% Kentucky grown grain and is aged on White Ash, that's the same wood used to make Louisville Sluggers."

"Wow, you don't say? They use this to make baseball bats?"

You see three or four other empty beer bottles on the coffee table so you just roll with it. 

"Umm, kinda?" 

He grips the can like a baseball bat and cocks back for a swing.

"Hey kiddo, do I look like Barry Bonds."

"You sure do, Dad. You sure do."

MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND:
MAPLE OATMEAL STOUT (Oatmeal Stout) - Gordon Biersch

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5. Hauck's Pilsner (Amercian PILSNER) - Monnik

WHO IT'S FOR: "K-Dawg"

A 90's Del Sol blasts vintage Beastie Boys and barrels down the street squealing to a stop outside.

"Hi Kyle." you wave.

Kyle pulls his body halfway out the open driver's window pumping his fists in the air.

"COU-SIN. COU-SIN!!!" 

The rest of him pops out and he gives you a big hug. 

"By the way, I'm going by K-Dawg now. You think your mom can do this laundry? Hey, you guys got any brewsky around here?"

You toss K-Dawg's enormous linen bag into the laundry room and toss him a Hauck's American Pilsner from Monnik.

He eyes the can suspiciously, "Thanks, but I'm a pretty dedicated Natty guy."

"Give it a try Ky... K-Dawg. You know, this beer was named after Geroge Hauck, World War II vet and Schnitzelburg's O.G. number one citizen."

"That'll play." he says and downs it immediately. 

Behind him the laundry door creaks open and a figure appears, silhouetted against the bright light.

"Hello, son." 

K-Dawg freezes mid chug. His eyed go wide.

MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND:
STRAIGHT OUTTA CLIFTON (West Coast IPA) - Gallant Fox
CLEARLY KENTUCKIAN (Flavored Hard Seltzer) - Ten20

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6. A BEER (SUPER PREMIUM AMERICAN LAGER) - ATG

Who It's For: UNCLE Dougie

"GET BACK HERE AND SAY HELLO TO YOUR FATHER!" Aunt Karen screams and storms off after K-Dawg.

"HE'S NOT MY FATHER!" K-Dawg yells back and runs from the kitchen.

Uncle Dougie moves to go after her, but you put your hand on his shoulder.

"Give them a minute." You say. "Let's have a beer."

You open the garage cooler and pop a couple A-Beers from Against the Grain.

"He just can't accept that his mother and I are back together again." says your Uncle Dougie taking a long pull from his can.

"Well," you say, trying to be kind, "you've been out there 'finding yourself' for a long time. Now you show back up, ready for him to treat you like a father, but have you asked if you're ready to treat yourself the same way."

He sits down on the cooler and buries his head in his hands.

You pat him on the back. "Take this beer for example. When you're ready for a beer, you deserve the best. You deserve A-Beer. When Kyle is ready for a father, doesn't he deserve the best too?"

Dougie looks up at you and sniffs, "He does. I'm gonna be the A-Beer of Dads to that kid. So help me God."

MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND:
WADE'S  RyePA (Rye Pale Ale) - ​Old Louisville Brewery
SHAKEN NATURE (Mango Milkshake IPA) - Holsopple

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7. CLASSIC PILSNER (American Pilsner) - FALLS CITY

Who It's For: YOU

Late that evening you wander to the backyard for a bit of peace-and-quiet. A cool breeze wafts the smell of wood smoke and you see your old neighbor Buck sitting out by a campfire.

"Come sit a spell." he waves, "Looks like you could use a beer."

The fire is warm and cracking as old Buck hands you a cold can of Classic Pilsner from Falls City.

"Why don't you tell the old Buckster all about it, ya little buckaroo?"

You tell old Buck all about your day and your wacky family. He listens quietly, like an old friend.

"Well," he says, staring into the fire, "that's quite a story. You say that all you did was share a bunch of beer you love. But to these old ears, sounds like what you actually shared was love itself. And sharing love," Buck winks and smiles, "well, that's what Christmas is all about."

"It's Thanksgiving, Buck."

Buck taps the tip of his nose and takes a long drink of beer.

​"Exactly."

​MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND:
PAY IT FORWARD COCOA PORTER (American Porter) -  West Sixth NuLu

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS fROM YOUR FRIENDS AT LOUISVILLE ALE TRAIL.
Pick up Your Passport and Get out therE for Some HOLIDAY CHEER!

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Posted By John R.

John is a co-founder of Louisville Ale Trail, owner of Brewgrass Homebrew Supply, and Producer/Professional Beer Drinker at Boy Meets Wort Media. He likes cold crispy lagers and non-hazy classic IPAs.