Meanwhile Brewing announces Thanksgiving Meal Kits, so we share food-beer event tips

From taproom to table, Meanwhile Brewing Co.’s new Thanksgiving meal kits bring the best of Austin’s food trucks — and of course, craft beer — straight to your holiday spread. Order them right here! Available in two sizes — small (serving 4-6, $250) and large (serving 8-10, $400) — these kits combine Meanwhile’s acclaimed beer with dishes from some of Austin’s most beloved food trucks. The holiday feast captures a diverse culinary experience, offering a delicious array of Austin’s favorite food and beer. From the press release:

“We’re thrilled to introduce our Thanksgiving Meal Kit, which showcases the distinctive flavors of Austin’s most sought-after food trucks. At Meanwhile Brewing Co., we know that food and drink have the power to bring people together, especially during the holiday season,” said Meanwhile Brewing Co. founder Will Jaquiss. “This kit is designed to make it easy for families to celebrate and enjoy a delicious, diverse feast that showcases the culinary talent in our community.”

In case you don’t know: Meanwhile Brewing is one of Austin’s coolest breweries — a family-friendly taproom with a soccer field, beer garden, on-site food trucks and an awesome outdoor music stage.

Order now: Pickup available on Nov. 26 and 27

Customers can reserve their meal kits now, with pickups scheduled for November 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The kit includes specialties from renowned local food trucks, including Distant Relatives, Pueblo Viejo, Side Eye Pie and Songbird, plus desserts by Bésame ice cream. The meal kit even offers an optional bottle of Fierce Whiskers Texas Straight Rye Whiskey, available for pickup at the nearby distillery.

A closer look at the Thanksgiving menu

Each meal kit includes:

• Meanwhile Brewing Co. – Half case (three 4-packs) or full case (six 4-packs) with option to choose between core brands, seasonal releases, and collaborative offerings
• Distant Relatives’ Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast/Creole Onion Gravy (small = 3 lbs / large = 6 lbs)
• Pueblo Viejo’s Chicken Tamales/Salsa Verde and Pork Tamales/Salsa Roja (small = 6 each / large = 12 each)
• Side Eye Pie’s Smooth and Buttery Duck Fat Mashed Potatoes, Italian Chopped Salad, Tiramisu
• Songbird’s Thanksgiving Salad/Honey Gochujang Roasted Delicata Squash, Pickled Cranberries, Roasted Pepitas, Fresh Ricotta, Kale, Pink Peppercorn Vinaigrette
• Bésame’s Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake, Black Bottom Pecan Pie, and Cardamom Vanilla* ice creams (1 pint each); *Included with Large
• Fierce Whiskers’ Texas Straight Rye Whiskey (+$56/TK mL) pick up at distillery next door to Meanwhile

Elevating the Austin beer and food scene

Since opening in 2020, Meanwhile Brewing has established itself as a cornerstone of Austin’s craft beer culture. Under the leadership of brewmaster Will Jaquiss, who honed his skills at one of Portland’s top breweries, Meanwhile set out to redefine the brewery experience in Austin. It’s 3.7-acre space hosts a 15-barrel brewhouse, beer garden, soccer field, amazing outdoor stage, kids playground and lots of open air, creating both an inviting community space and an impressive production facility that churns out 10,000 barrels annually, supplying over 250 locations around Austin.

Meanwhile Brewing isn’t just about beer. They’ve become known for their food collaborations as well. Their Backyard BBQ Series brought Austin’s top culinary talents together for exclusive tasting events this past July, featuring pitmasters like Aaron Franklin and Evan Leroy. The Thanksgiving meal kits continue this legacy of food-centered partnerships, this time tailored for the holiday season.

Crafting a memorable thanksgiving with Austin’s flavors

Meanwhile Brewing’s Thanksgiving meal kits offer an effortless way to enjoy Austin’s top flavors without leaving home. That’s my idea of Thanksgiving! Each dish has been thoughtfully curated to complement the brewery’s signature beers, creating a harmonious blend of food and drink for your holiday gathering.

Order your Thanksgiving meal kit right now, and make this holiday a memorable one with Meanwhile Brewing Co.’s best-loved dishes and beers.

NOW! Tips for crafting a beer and food menu with flair

1. Plan around a theme or seasonal focus

• Choose a seasonal theme: Highlight seasonal flavors that align with the beer’s ingredients or typical tasting notes. For instance, a fall-themed pairing could feature pumpkin ales, Oktoberfest brews, and foods with rich, earthy ingredients like squash, apples or root vegetables.
• Create a cultural or regional theme: A theme based on a specific cuisine — such as Bavarian, New Orleans or Italian — can make pairings cohesive and add to the experience. Curating dishes that reflect a particular culinary tradition can help connect attendees with the beer’s origin or style.
• Highlight beer styles: Focus on a specific beer style, like IPAs or stouts, and create pairings around different variations within that style. Attendees will enjoy learning how diverse a single beer category can be when paired with carefully selected foods.

2. Collaborate with local culinary experts

• Partner with local chefs: Collaborate with chefs or food truck operators who specialize in cuisine that complements your beer styles. Their expertise can elevate the dishes and give customers unique tastes they might not typically find at your brewery.
• Host with a local restaurant or catering service: If you have the space, bring in a local catering service or a restaurant partner to handle the food. Many chefs enjoy showcasing their work with breweries and may even design exclusive dishes just for the event.
• Feature artisan producers: Use locally sourced ingredients from artisans like cheese makers, bakers, or chocolatiers. This approach supports local businesses and lets guests sample unique flavors that are special to the area.

3. Emphasize the basics of pairing beer with food

• Focus on complementary and contrasting flavors: Pair lighter, more delicate beers (like a pilsner) with subtle flavors, and robust beers (like stouts) with richer foods. Contrasting flavors can also be exciting: for example, a citrusy IPA can cut through the richness of fatty or creamy dishes.
• Think about texture and mouthfeel: The carbonation in beer can cleanse the palate and prepare it for the next bite, especially with oily or rich foods. High carbonation levels pair well with fried foods, while creamier stouts or porters enhance desserts and cheeses.
• Match intensity levels: Ensure that neither the beer nor the food overwhelms the other. Balance is essential. If the beer is highly bitter or hoppy, pair it with food that can stand up to its boldness, like spicy dishes or sharp cheeses.

4. Highlight ingredients and the brewing process

• Explain ingredient synergies: Mention ingredients that appear in both the beer and the food. For example, pairing a beer brewed with honey with a dish that includes honey will create a thematic link that enhances the sensory experience.
• Feature seasonal ingredients: Seasonal pairings are an opportunity to discuss the fresh, local ingredients that are in season, making the event feel exclusive and time-sensitive.
• Offer behind-the-scenes insights: Share information about the brewing process or the story behind each beer. Highlighting these details helps create an educational atmosphere that beer aficionados appreciate.

5. Provide takeaways for continued engagement

• Include pairing guides: Offer guests recipe cards or pairing guides with the night’s selections. This gives them a tangible way to recreate the experience at home and remember your brand.
• Incorporate tasting notes: Provide a guide that covers tasting notes and pairing tips, so guests can use what they learned in future pairings.
• Create limited-time offers: Encourage attendees to purchase merch, themed swag, partner products or growlers. A small discount on these purchases can boost event sales.

By integrating these strategies, you can create an engaging and memorable food and beer pairing event that showcases the brewery’s offerings while providing a unique experience for your audience. This style of event builds brand loyalty and positions your brewery as a culinary destination. Just look at Meanwhile Brewing’s example.