Tipsy Turkey

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon water
• 2 cup salt, kosher
• 1/2 cup sugar, light brown to dark brown
• 1/2 cup honey, star thistle or orange blossom
• 2 teaspoon cloves
• 2 bunch thyme, fresh
• 1 bunch sage, fresh
• 8 bay leaves, preferably fresh
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 3 yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 tangerines, oranges, or Meyer lemons, quartered
• 1 leek, peeled and sliced
• 4 pounds ice or ½ gallon cold water
• 1 gallon 'Holiday Ale’ such as Jubelale from Deschutes Brewery (2x six packs)*, well chilled
• 1 Turkey, preferably free range, 18-22 pounds
• 10 sage leaves, fresh (optional)
• 10 apple wood smoked bacon, thick cut (optional)
• 2 tangerines
• butter, unsalted, room temperature
• kosher salt and cracked black pepper