Draft Digest – Oct/ 2024 – Brews & Bites: Perfect Drink Pairings for Family Dinners

Brews & Bites: Perfect Fall Drink Pairings for Family Dinners

Looking to elevate your next family dinner? The right craft beer or cocktail pairing can transform a good meal into a memorable one. Whether it’s a casual get-together or a festive feast, local breweries like Farm Country Brewing, Five Roads Brewing, and Please Beverage Co. have fantastic drinks to enhance every dish.

Appetizers and Light Dishes

Start your evening with something fresh and light. Salads, seafood, or veggie appetizers are best paired with a refreshing beer or cocktail. A great choice is Farm Country Brewing’s Deckhand Hazy Pale Ale, which offers tropical and citrus notes that beautifully complement dishes like citrus salads or shrimp skewers. The light bitterness and fruity profile cleanse the palate, readying you for the next bite.

If you’re looking for a little tang to pair with your appetizers, consider Please Beverage Co.’s Raspberry, Juniper & Mint cocktail. This fruity, herbal drink adds a burst of raspberry with a refreshing mint finish, making it an ideal match for dishes like fresh spring rolls or goat cheese salad

Main Course Pairing: Oogie Boogie Pumpkin Stout and Butternut Squash Stew

For the main course, there’s nothing like a hearty stew paired with a robust seasonal brew. Five Roads Brewing’s Oogie Boogie Pumpkin Stout is rich, smooth, and spiced with fall flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s perfect when paired with a Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Stew. The beer’s creamy mouthfeel enhances the natural sweetness of the roasted veggies, while its warm spice cuts through the richness of the dish.

Dessert Pairing: Mango, Coconut & Pandan Cocktail from Please Beverage Co.

Finally, dessert needs its own perfect pairing. Please Beverage Co.’s Mango, Coconut & Pandan cocktail is tropical and creamy, with layers of flavor that evoke feelings of being on a beach vacation.

Enjoy Please Beverage’s Mango Coconut Pandan paied with a coconut-flavored dessert or a light fruit sorbet to end the evening on a refreshing note.

These unique pairings from Farm Country Brewing, Five Roads Brewing, and Please Beverage Co. will make your next family dinner unforgettable. So why not bring something new to the table and impress your guests with these creative drink and meal combinations?

Seasonal Brews and Limited Releases

In conclusion, pairing your family meals with carefully selected craft beers and cocktails adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your dining experience. Whether it’s the warm spices of Five Roads Brewing’s Oogie Boogie Pumpkin Stout alongside a hearty stew, the zesty refreshment of Please Beverage Co.’s Raspberry, Juniper & Mint with fresh seafood, or the tropical notes of their Mango, Coconut & Pandan paired with dessert, there’s a perfect match for every dish. These local breweries—Farm Country Brewing, Five Roads Brewing, and Please Beverage Co.—offer a wide variety of flavors to explore, making each family dinner a special occasion. With the right pairing, your next meal will leave a lasting impression on your guests, bringing people together over great food and even better drinks. So next time you gather around the table, raise your glass and enjoy the perfect harmony of flavors!

From Kitchen to Glass: A Food & Drink Pairing Guide

Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Stew

2 lbs butternut squash, cubed
1 lb sweet potatoes, cubed
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
Olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Instructions:
Roast the squash and sweet potatoes at 400°F for 30 minutes. Sauté onions and garlic, add roasted veggies and broth. Simmer 15 minutes. Blend and serve.

Summer Salad with Shrimp Skewers

4 large shrimp, skewered and grilled
Mixed greens
1 avocado, sliced
1 mango, diced
Cherry tomatoes, lime, radish

Instructions:
Grill the shrimp skewers. Mix greens with avocado, mango, tomatoes, and radish. Drizzle with lime juice and serve with the shrimp on top.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Stew

2 lbs butternut squash, cubed
1 lb sweet potatoes, cubed
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
Olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Instructions:
Roast the squash and sweet potatoes at 400°F for 30 minutes. Sauté onions and garlic, add roasted veggies and broth. Simmer 15 minutes. Blend and serve.

Summer Salad with Shrimp Skewers

4 large shrimp, skewered and grilled
Mixed greens
1 avocado, sliced
1 mango, diced
Cherry tomatoes, lime, radish

Instructions:
Grill the shrimp skewers. Mix greens with avocado, mango, tomatoes, and radish. Drizzle with lime juice and serve with the shrimp on top.

This Month's Specials

What's Happening in the City

Event Name	Dates	Location & Description
Chutzpah Festival	November 1 – 10, 2024	Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC A festival of Jewish performing arts including dance, music, and theater.
Bear Creek Park Lights	November 3 – 17, 2024	Bear Creek Park, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey, BC A family-friendly light display through the park gardens.
Hopscotch Festival	November 9 – 18, 2024	Various Venues, Vancouver, BC A tasting event celebrating spirits and beers from British Columbia.
Lumière Festival	November 7 – 10, 2024	Various Venues, Vancouver, BC A celebration of light art installations and projections throughout the city.
Eastside Culture Crawl	November 15 – 18, 2024	Various Studios, Vancouver, BC A visual arts festival showcasing local artists in their studios across East Vancouver.
Canyon Lights	November 19, 2024 – January 22, 2025	Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC Experience the beauty of the bridge adorned with dazzling lights in a spectacular outdoor setting.
Vancouver Christmas Market	November 13 – December 24, 2024	Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC A European-style market with over 80 artisan huts, serving delicious food, drinks, and festive activities.
Lights of Hope	November 16, 2024 – January 1, 2025	St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC A stunning display of Christmas lights, viewable by walk or drive, with an opportunity to support local healthcare.
Shipyards Christmas Market	November 29 – December 24, 2024	Shipyards, North Vancouver, BC A festive market featuring local vendors, food, drinks, and entertainment for the holiday season.
Stanley Park Christmas Train	December 1 – 24, 2024	Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC A magical train ride through a winter wonderland filled with festive lights and decorations.
PNE Winter Fair	December 6 – 23, 2024	Pacific National Exhibition, 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC An event featuring a Christmas market, live entertainment, and indoor ice skating.
Goh Ballet Nutcracker	December 19 – 22, 2024	Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC A beloved holiday ballet featuring enchanting performances and live music.
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum	December 2024 (TBC)	Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC A charming holiday celebration with lights, carolers, and festive activities for all ages.
Lights at Lafarge Lake	November 24, 2024 – January 1, 2025	Lafarge Lake, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC A spectacular light display featuring over 100,000 twinkling lights.
Cirque du Soleil: ECHO	October 9 – December 15, 2024	Concord Pacific Place, 1000 Expo Blvd, Vancouver, BC An enchanting circus performance featuring breathtaking acrobatics and artistry.
Arts Club Theatre Productions	Various Dates, November – December 2024	Multiple Venues, Vancouver, BC Enjoy a variety of theatrical performances throughout the holiday season.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival	December 2024 (TBC)	Various Venues, Vancouver, BC A celebration of jazz music with performances from renowned artists.
Christmas at the Park	December 2024 (TBC)	Various Parks, Vancouver, BC A community-focused holiday event with activities, lights, and festive cheer.
Heritage Christmas	December 2024 (TBC)	Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC Experience a nostalgic Christmas with vintage decorations and festive performances.