Grit & Grain Podcast

Exploring Tacoma and PNW Craft Beers

Author: Matthew, Sean, and Ron

Beer gurus Matt McLaren, Sean Jackson, and Ron Swarner explore and celebrate the craft beer industry, community, and history in Tacoma, Washington, and surrounding Pacific Northwest region.
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Language: en-us

Genres: Arts, Food, Leisure

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Episode 168: Who Brought the Rodenbach to Thanksgiving Dinner?
Friday, 21 November, 2025

Less than a week out from everyone’s favorite chaotic family holiday—the annual turkey-fueled collision of joy, gravy, and emotional turbulence—we decided it was the perfect time to sit down with our buddy R.J. Adler, from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., to discuss pairing beer with Thanksgiving dinner. Naturally, we lasted about 253 seconds before veering completely off the rails and dedicating the entire conversation to one of our mutual obsessions: the glorious, tart, ruby-kissed wonder that is a Flanders red ale. Why is it the perfect beer to bring to any family gathering? Why does it soothe generational trauma? Why does it pair so beautifully with turkey, stuffing, awkward political comments, and the profound desire to take a walk around the block for “fresh air”? We go deep. Maybe too deep. Maybe just deep enough. Tune in for laughs, actual usable beer pairing tips, and our unapologetic campaign to make Rodenbach the unofficial beer of Thanksgiving 2025. Thank you for listening, for supporting the podcast, and for bringing good beer to the table—no matter what your family throws at you. Have a beautiful turkey day, friends. See you all in December! Tap, tap, tap Alright, Grit & Grainers! Please email us at cheers@gritandgrainpodcast.com with your comments, opinions, and your best theories on what. You can subscribe to GGP on YouTube, Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play, and iHeartRadio, and please leave us a review. Be sure to also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If this podcast is not what you expected, please alter your expectations. No such thing as a bad time to visit Tacoma. No such thing as too much barleywine. Tune in next Friday for more sweet chatter. Cheers! The post Episode 168: Who Brought the Rodenbach to Thanksgiving Dinner? appeared first on Grit & Grain Podcast.