PW Pizza Second Excel Beer Dinner

We were bummed to have missed the 4 Hands beer dinner last month, but we were happy with the return of Excel Brewery to the lineup. A couple of beers were the same, but it's nice to try the new beers that were just released.

Menu

I think I've also had this salad before, but the Feta & Watermelon salad is always refreshing with a balsamic dressing. This was paired with the Piasa Pilsner (5% ABV), their new summer beer. Still a bit too hoppy for me.

Feta & Watermelon Salad
Fresh Basil Balsamic Dressing

The Bose Roggen Rye Schwarzbier (4.8% ABV, 30 IBUs) was probably my favorite beer of the night. It was paired with the Strawberry & Prosciutto Pizza.

Strawberry & Prosciutto Pizza on Honey Wheat Crust
with Parmesan/Candied Pecans, Arugla, and Garlic Olive Oil

Of course the East Side IPA (7% ABV, 60 IBUs) was paired with the spicy Cajun Jerk Chicken Pizza. There was a lot going on with the pizza...even banana! That was a first for me!

Cajun Jerk Chicken Pizza with Monterey Jack Cheese,
Red Onion, Black Beans, Banana, Sorrel Pesto

I think Patience enjoyed the last course the best since it was her two favorites: Peach Buckle with the Southside Stout (6.5% ABV, 40 IBUs).

Peach Buckle

Resources:

PW Pizza = http://pwpizza.com/

Excel Brewery = http://www.excelbottling.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

PW Pizza Excel Dinner

This probably had to be one of the best PW Pizza dinners that we've been to and I certainly wish Excel Brewing Company was a lot closer to St. Louis, as they are located in Breese, Illinois.

Normally I require outstanding pairings to get high ranks but Excel's beers were so accessible, I really think they can compliment most foods.

I could drink the Lefty's Lager all day long...perfect light, summer beer with 5% ABV and 15 IBU. Perhaps not much flavor to it, but it really let the Goat Cheese & Green Apple Bruschetta be the star.

Goat Cheese & Green Apple Bruschetta

Not only was the appetizer a little more exciting than the usual salad, the Roasted Chicken Pizza and Prime Rib Pizza were quite amazing. Again, the milder beers really let the pizza shine.

Roasted Chicken Pizza

I loved the huge chunks of tomato as well as the roasted chicken, but I had to pull off the jalapenos. It was there since it was matched up to a "IPA" type of beer. I am also a huge fan of their honey wheat crust!

Prime Rib Pizza

This was just as awesome because it was covered in delicious vegetables (caramelized onion, bell and banana peppers, mushroom) in addition to the prime rib. The Bose Roggen beer can be compared to a Schwarzbier since it's full bodied, but no bitter after taste.

Patience gave the dessert and the Southside Stout Trifle two thumbs up!! Chocolate cake, caramel, pecans, and toasted marshmallows on top inside an individual glass serving.

Southside Stout Trifle

Here is their full beer list and we got to try four out of six!

Excel Beer List

Resources:

PW Pizza = http://pwpizza.com/

Excel Brewing Company = http://www.excelbottling.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon