A dozen Colorado craft libations to pair with holiday foods

By the Thirst Team

As the weather gets chilly during the holiday season, comfort foods are on the mind. But as we've all come to know, one cannot live on comfort foods alone. Here are some ideas for craft beverages that complement traditional foods.

1. The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a festive yule log to sweeten your palate. With this chocolate delight enjoy a New Belgium Brewing Transatlantique Kriek. Cherry aroma and flavor with a tart embrace that pairs nicely with chocolate.

2. While the young ones (or you – absolutely no judgement) work on the holiday gingerbread house, enjoy a Denver Beer Co. Graham Cracker Porter. An obvious choice for such an occasion, the porter has flavors of vanilla, spices and a graham cracker-like biscuit finish.

3. An Itallian favorite, Cioppino, is a stew maide with seafood that is a lighter meal. Peak Spirits Farm Distillery from Hotchkiss makes an Italian favorite, Grappa – a natural digestive, perfect to finish off a big Christmas dinner.

4. A quintessential holiday favorite, glazed ham, wouldn’t be complete without a Glider Cider from Colorado Cider Co. Western Slope apple varieties combine for a light sweetness and semi-dry finish that balances well with a heavier meat dish.

5. Who doesn’t like a little spiked hot chocolate while roasting chestnuts on an open fire? Peach Street Distillery makes a Plum Brandy Eau De Vie (similar to Schnapps) that pairs well with hot chocolate. Light and delicate plum flavors meld nicely with a homemade hot chocolate.

6. Eggnog and rum is one of those combinations that just seem to never go out of style. For a new twist, try Stoneyard Distilleries Colorado Silver in your ’nog. Hailing from the tiny town of Dotsero, Stoneyard creates the spirit from local beet sugar. It drinks like rum with a Colorado twist.

7. Mmm, melted cheese … the Swiss really know how to please a crowd. With a traditional gruyere cheese fondue, try State 38 Distilleries Scottish Peat Smoked Whiskey. Utilizing grain sourced from the Islay region of Scotland and Scottish peat smoked malted barley, State 38 has created an American-style scotch. Colorful peat smoke flavors on the front and a rich chocolate finish makes for a superb sipper with your fondue.

8. After a day on the ski slopes, a good elk chili hits the spot. Ska Brewing’s Buster Nut Brown has got just enough malty backbone and smooth hopped finish to balance the heat from the chili. Sessionable, this brown isn’t overpowering with a heavy meal.

9. An old-fashioned cranberry sauce makes the list of delicious sides to complement the main course. With a sweet cranberry medley, grab an Oskar Blues Ten Fidy. A bear of a beer, Ten Fidy weighs out at 10.5 percent ABV, 65 IBUs and boasts flavors of chocolate covered caramel, coffee and dark malt. The sauce complements the brew, rather than the other way around.

10. Maybe a late brunch is in the cards. A simple crêpe recipe with ham and melted Swiss or fruit calls for an early afternoon Brainless Raspberry. The Epic Brewing delicacy pairs raspberry flavors with a quintessential Belgian yeast, yielding banana and light bubblegum. It’s a flavorful brew that won’t overpower your crêpe.

11. A vegetarian mushroom soufflé goes perfectly with an Odell IPA. Nine different aromatic hops create a true Colorado favorite that tastes just right alongside the distinctive flavors of mushrooms and pastry in a warm soufflé.

12. It seems like there are always leftover candy canes around the holidays, and you can’t let that hardened sugar go to waste. So, crack open an Avery Brewing Old Jubilation ale and meld the hazelnut, mocha and toffee goodness with the sweet peppermint of a candy cane.

After a big holiday meal, try some of the following activities to get you out and about.

Winter Park has snowmobiles for rent, which will allow the family to experience the Continental Divide in the middle of winter.
Check out the Denver Zoo Lights or the Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Sleigh rides are as traditional as overindulging and Steamboat is a great place to kick back and view the holiday splendor.
Backcountry skiing is an excellent way to slim down after a feast. The Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Trail System is a great place to set out on an adventure.
Spend Saturday afternoon learning to curl at the outdoor Nederland Ice & Racquet Park.
On the Western Slope? Grab your skis and head to Telluride for some downhill fun. Find short lift lines and endless turns beneath the iconic Palmyra Peak.
Catch the matinee of A Christmas Carol down at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
Visiting the southwest? Dogsledding is popular near Durango and it’s a great way to see the backcountry.
Dig your ice skates out of the garage and drive up to Evergreen Lake for a few trips around the pond.
After a large brunch, Rocky Mountain National Park offers miles of snowshoe trails to exercise the afternoon away.
Head to downtown Denver to experience the 17th annual Denver Christkindl Market. Music, shopping and more!
Grab your tube and head to Chatauqua Park in Boulder for a snowy afternoon on the hill.