Juliana of Pizza Rustica at Crabbies Launch Party During Chicago Craft Beer Week
Located about 1/2 mile from Wrigley Field is a restaurant unlike anything that surrounds it. A space that specializes in northern Italian cuisine and so much more. Our friend Kylie casually suggested we explore what they had to offer and were blown away by how fantastic this space is. One of Pizza Rustica’s showcase events for Chicago Craft Beer Week was an evening celebrating the launch of Crabbie’s Orange Ginger Beer, a spiced citrus variant of the top selling bottled beer in England.
Malt beverages get a bad rap in our world of craft beer and spirits. In fact images of Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Bartles & Jaymes and Redd’s Apple Ale come to mind when you use the phrase. The Crabbie’s team, in town for a US launch that includes Dallas, Philly and Chicago understand this as well. The brand is currently sold in 42 states. Back home in England 3.3M cases are sold annually. During our conversation they shared that their flagship beer uses lager yeast to ferment for six weeks. Inspired by trips to the Far East for spices in the 1800’s John Crabbie created the ginger beer recipe that has remained relatively unchanged over time. It’s a soft, well-rounded interpretation of ginger beer. As Pizza Rustica taught us via their menu creations, it’s a beer that is unusually compelling as a layer for creating cocktails. I was surprised when they mentioned that they attenuate the beverage from 18%ABV down to about 5% before bottling it. Equally as surprising is that Crabbie’s took Best In Show at San Fransisco’s Fairfax Beer Festival (an event that recently celebrated it’s 19th year).
White Pizza with Mozzarella, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Duck & Spiced Orange Sautéed Cherries drizzled with a sweet & spicy orange sauce. Ginger Beer Bourbon Marinated Ribs with a Ginger Bourbon Sauce served with Grilled Polenta.
Over five courses and six cocktails what became most evident was how Crabbie’s and Pizza Rustica, both family owned business seemed be successful yet firmly rooted in the personal touch towards customers that have gotten them to this point. Juliana & Stefano are the husband/ wife duo that give Pizza Rustica the beautiful character you feel as soon as you enter their space. Stefano’s exceptional culinary talents are featured on the menu while Juliana selects beer, wine, spirits and cocktails that compliment the chef’s creations. One of the evening’s highlights for me was listening to Juliana effortlessly share her passion for beverages. I don’t encounter many people just as excited about bloody marys and cocktails as they are craft beer. Cheers to her for selecting an array of beers all under 7% abv. Balance and complexity are important when she’s choosing her bottle list.
Flourless Chocolate Cake & Vanilla Ice Cream topped with Spiced Orange Sauce
Panna Cotta drizzled with Ginger Syrup
This was definitely one of my CCBW 2014 highlights. I spent much of the evening in the company of reps from St. Killians Importers, the team from Crabbie’s (UK & US) as well as Nick from Glunz Distributing – Chicago oldest, largest beer distributor. Here’s a look at the menu for Crabbie’s Chicago Launch.
If you’re ever in the Wrigleyville area, I encourage you to check this place out.
Pizza Rustica is located at 3908 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60613
Antipasti
Spiced Orange-Panko Shrimp with a Ginger Orange Dipping Sauce.
Ginger Beer Brown Sugar Chili Pepper Marinated & Braised Pork Belly topped with Micro Greens & Candied Ginger drizzled with a Ginger Caramel Sauce.
Secondi
Specialty Pizza ~ White Pizza topped with Mozzarella, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Duck & Spiced Orange Sautéed Cherries drizzled with a Sweet & Spicy Orange Sauce.
Ginger Beer Bourbon Marinated Ribs with a Ginger Bourbon Sauce served with Grilled Polenta.
Dolci
Flourless Chocolate Cake & Vanilla Ice Cream topped with Spiced Orange Sauce.
Panna Cotta drizzled with Ginger Syrup.
Cocktails
Orange Spiced Berry
Spiced Orange Tito’s Vodka, Strawberry Puree, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup.
Summer Spiced Rye
Spiced Orange, Bulleit Rye, Balsamic Syrup, Muddled Orange & Ginger Mint.
Light & Stormy
Plantation Silver Rum, Limes, Crabbie’s Spiced Orange Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Dark & Stormy
Fior de Cana or Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Crabbie’s Spiced Orange Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Brown & Stormy
Makers Mark & Buffalo Trace, Crabbie’s Spiced Orange Alcoholic Ginger Beer
–Nkosi
