5 beers to enjoy with your Thanksgiving feast!

        Nothing goes better with Thanksgiving dinner or dessert than a festive,  handcrafted beer.   It's also a great time to try and turn some of your friends or family members on to craft beer.  I've unexpectedly popped open a bottle of pumpkin ale the last couple years during dinner and my family thought I hung the moon!  They loved it and asked for more.

     We have assembled a list of some of our favorites for your feast today that are readily available in Orlando.  You still have a little time to head out to your local beer Megamarket and get some provisions for your meal.   Happy Thanksgiving everyone and Cheers!

1.  Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale (Cigar City Brewing)
This one can be tough to find but most agree it's one of the best pumpkin ales around.  Made with real pumpkin flavor and pumpkin spices including Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican all-spice, Zanzibar cloves and nutmeg.  Pairs well with pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie, and costume parties. (8.5 %ABV)

2.  Pumpking (Southern Tier Brewing)
The pie crust and whipped cream flavors in Pumpking make it the best example of "pumpkin pie in a glass" that I've had.  Other flavors include malty sweetness, vanilla, clove, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg,  and pie crust.  Pairs particularly well with thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin pie, and other Thanksgiving desserts desserts! (8.6 % ABV)

3. Punkin Ale (Dogfish Head Brewing)
Shocking that Dogfish Head would make a top notch pumpkin brew right? Punkin Ale is a brown ale with hints of pumpkin and brown sugar.  Made with pumpkin meat, organic brown sugar and spices.  Goes great with turkey, roasted duck, lamb, stuffing, dessert dumplings, sharp cheddar .  (7 % ABV)  See more at: http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/seasonal-brews/punkin-ale.htm#sthash.MULzIKYR.dpuf.

4.  Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin
Smashed Pumpkin is a big-bodied beer with a light coppery orange color and pleasing aroma of pumpkin and nutmeg.  Smashed Pumpkin pairs well with sharp cheeses, nuts, lamb, hearty stews and desserts like flan or pumpkin pie. Chefs find this an excellent beer to cook with in dishes such as braised short ribs. (9% ABV)

5.  Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Brown Ale
This one is not a pumpkin brew but its similar flavors go great with Thanksgiving foods. Lightly hopped to allow the malty, caramel, and nutty flavors shine through.  Southern Pecan won a Bronze Medal in the 2006 World Beer Cup in the Specialty Beer category. (4.39 % ABV)