St. Louis is a great place to celebrate International Beer and Pizza Day, which takes place on Thursday, October 9th. Here’s my quick guide to some of the best places to pair a brew with a slice of pie!
Weekly Pizza Specials at Local Breweries
Big Mouth STL inside Perennial Artisan Ales
The team at Big Mouth started with sandwiches on the most amazing focaccia bread I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. Then this summer, they started offering pizza specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays (dine-in only, please). Every week, they post the week’s option on their Instagram account. There are limited quantities each day, so there’s a chance they may sell out. They also have a seasonal dip you should try. If there’s any trace of it left in your bowl, I’ll be surprised. Perennial has the perfect beers to pair with your dinner, but I’m partial to the slushies, especially if there is an Abraxas version available. I’d recommend the Hurry On Daylight if you prefer Hazy IPAs. And for the fans of a lighter, fruity beer, go with the Poolside Breeze.
The Old Bakery Beer Company
One of the best seasonal menus we have found in St. Louis, Old Bakery keeps it fresh and delicious. Which is why on Thursday mornings, I check their Instagram to see what the pizza of the week is! I cannot personally testify to the greatness of the Green Bean Casserole pizza, but it is often in the rotation. I can say the Philly Cheesesteak Pizza was a hit in our house. You can dine in or order your pie to go, and there is normally an accompanying beer special. If your beer preference is light and fruity, go with the Blueberry. If you’re more of a stout drinker, I would recommend the 10th Anniversary brew.
Every Day Breweries with Pizza
Side Project Pizza
We came for the beers, but we keep going back for their pizzas. The outdoor setting is great for an afternoon out with our kiddo. There are plenty of pizza options on the menu and ways to customize your own, so you can find the perfect combo to pair with your Side Project brew. They use their own yeast strain removed from Side Project’s Saison du Fermier vats for their sourdough crusts. On weekends from 12-4 p.m., you can get a slice and a draft for $10. Keep an eye on their social media accounts (@sideprojectpizza) for fun events like Bingo on the first Sunday of the month. Don’t worry if beer isn’t your beverage of choice; the cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholic options have you covered. Don’t skip the salad or the fries either.
Good News Brewing
We have stopped by the O’Fallon location multiple times and were really excited when our location opened in Alton (300 Alby St., Alton) earlier this year. For me, the star at each location is the wood-fired pizza oven. I love watching the staff make the magic happen. If you want to make your pepperoni pizza go-to less basic, try the Banana Pepper Pepperoni. But my favorite is the Vampire Deathwish (garlic sauce, spinach, feta, and mozzarella cheese). Not sure what beer to pair with your pizza? The staff will steer you in the right direction. The Alton location is also open on Mondays, which can be a hard day to find a place to eat. My beer of choice is the Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout, but the Local 636 Hazy IPA and Mango Guava Sour are also refreshing.
Crafty Chameleon
Have you ever just walked into a place, taken in a deep breath, and decided you needed one of everything off the menu? Me neither. But the smell of the wood-fired pizza at the Crafty Chameleon on our initial visit made me sad we had other dinner plans that night! They feature a rotation of 46 taps, including their own beers brewed on-site and a wide selection of other area breweries. Mark your calendar, the special on Mondays is $3 off any pizza.
I hope this list gives you some new options for your next pizza and beer night! If the options are too overwhelming, always ask the staff for their recommendations. They’ll steer you down the right path. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some pizza to eat. Cheers!
