Happy New Year, everyone! 🥳 We’re kicking off 2026 with a discovery that felt like a late Christmas gift. While we haven’t made it out to their taproom in Bedford yet (though a field trip is definitely being scheduled as we speak), we came across a massive selection of Turning Point Beer and knew we had to dive in.

Turning Point is legendary in North Texas for their bold, experimental, and heavy-hitting brews. We picked up a flight of six to ring in the new year.

The Flight Lineup ✈️

• DDH Dinglebop (8.2%): A “Plumbus series” Double NEIPA. Big, bold, and pushing the “dinglebop through the grumbo” with Citra and Mosaic hops.
• Skrrt Skrrt (10.5%): A Triple Hazy IPA that hits fast with Nectaron and Sabro.
• Diamond Dogs (5.0%): A Vienna Lager that’s crisp, bready, and the perfect “reset” button for your palate.
• Give It To Me 4 Times (12.4%): A Quadruple Hazy IPA. The “boss level” of juice bombs.
• $Galaxy (8.2%): A Double NEIPA that’s basically a liquid constellation of Galaxy hops.
• Unusually Precise Tornado (10.2%): A Triple IPA that lives up to its name—calculated, chaotic, and delicious.

The Winner: Give It To Me 4 Times 🏆

This beer is a beast, but you wouldn’t know it from the first sip. Despite the massive 12.4% ABV, it is incredibly smooth and creamy. It’s loaded with Citra, Strata, and Sabro hops, making it a “juice bomb” to the max. It’s tropical, slightly sweet, and dangerously easy to drink. It was the undisputed heavyweight champion of our flight!

🥈 The Runners-Up

These two beers hit all of our richness and spice criteria and were neck-and-neck for the top honor.

1. Diamond Dogs:

A close second for those who want flavor without the 12% punch. It’s malty, clean, and everything a Vienna Lager should be. 💎🐕

2. $Galaxy:

If you’re a hop-head, this one is a must. It’s pure peach and passionfruit bliss. 🍑

The Playbook Pairing: A Southern New Year’s Feast 🍽️

This month’s pairing isn’t just about flavors; it’s straight from my mom’s kitchen. Growing up in the South, New Year’s Day wasn’t just a meal—it was a tradition designed to set the tone for the entire year. We’re pairing our Give It To Me 4 Times with a full spread of Southern symbolism:

• Black-Eyed Peas: A must-have for coins and growing wealth. I always think of her whenever I see a pot of these simmering on the stove.
• Greens (Collards, Mustard, or Turnips): These represent paper money and financial good fortune. The more you eat, the better the year (at least that’s what Mom always said!).
• Skillet Cornbread: Its golden color symbolizes gold and wealth. It’s the essential partner for those greens and peas.
• Glazed Yams: Candied and golden, these add sweetness to the plate and another touch of “gold” for prosperity.
• Baked Ham: We eat pork because pigs “root forward,” symbolizing progress and moving forward in the new year. We’re leaving 2025 behind and looking ahead!

Final Call: A Prosperous Pour! 🍻

A 12.4% Quad IPA needs a meal that can stand its ground. The residual sweetness of the beer acts like a fruit glaze for the ham and yams, while those bold hops cut right through the saltiness of the greens and black-eyed peas. It’s a big, traditional meal paired with a big, modern beer—a perfect way to honor where I came from while toasting where we’re going.

The Question for Our Readers: What is the one tradition you must do on New Year’s Day to feel like the year has officially started? Drop a comment below and let us know!