Granite City Food & Brewery

I have a strong belief that one thing any civilized city truly needs is a microbrew. A perfect marriage of delicious food with an array of house crafted brews that allow patrons to mix and match their palates.

If you find yourself in Peoria, IL, I recommend swinging by Granite City Food & Brewery. Whether your in town to catch a Rivermen game or headed to the Civic Center to take in an off-broadway performance, Granite City has your taste buds covered.

My first experience was the precursor to Young Frankenstein, a truly entertaining Mel Brooksian spectacle. Thankfully, our party had a decent amount of people in attendance, so I was able to sample a good variety of tastes.

Personally, I chose the Granite City Cuban. Typically made with pork , ham, and spicy mustard, Granite City's had a very interesting twist. While the main meat was in fact seasoned pork, instead of pairing it with ham, they used smoked turkey. The sandwich had all the taste and flavor of a Cuban minus the greasy stomach settling one would normally experience. This is an added bonus to anyone imbibing a heavier craft.

Mrs CU Brew Blog went with the Blackened Chicken Linguini. This cajun pasta dish is one I wish she would have had extra leftovers. Despite the discomfort I would have incurred from over-eating, I would definitely have found room to finish her plate.

I also had the opportunity to sample the Prosciutto Olive Flatbread pizza. This was my favorite taste of the night. The blend of cheeses (provolone, mozzarella, and parmesan), basil, and garlic aoli added an amazing flavor to a deliciously light and flaky ham pizza. Furthermore, after I had tasted this, I could only imagine how the Cuban would have tasted with the prosciutto.

My favorite part of their menu, was the menu itself. Perhaps this is limited to the places I've experienced, but Granite City actually offers recommended beer pairings for each entree on the menu. Although, and I say this as a wheat devotee, they could be a little more inventive than pairing a wheat or light lager with the majority of the menu. It goes without saying that a lighter brew easily mixes with just about everything.

Now on to the important stuff, the beer. Offering six regular and two specialty brews at any one time, I highly recommend the flight. With eight four ounce samples at the low price of $3.75, how can you go wrong. That's 32 oz. of beer for almost half the price I normally pay at my local watering holes for a pint. At very minimum, that's one low price to see what your taste buds fancy that day.

Northern Lights Lager:
According to their website, Northern Lights is brewed to the American standard of a classic lager. This can be roughly translated into tastes almost exactly like Miller Light. Golden and mild, this lager isn't big on taste and would be a great pairing for anyone who'd rather focus on their dinner.

Wag's American Wheat:
Cloudy and delicious, Wag's is big on both the pale and coriander. I had trouble placing the zest at first, but the lemon definitely comes through as you continue throughout the drink.

Oktoberfest:
The first of two specialties, there would be no mistaking this beer as anything other than a marzen. It was sweet and delicious and would be a great beer to enjoy on the back porch in late fall.

Brother Benedicts Bock:
Heavy malt with a medium texture, this beer is meant to be enjoyed with a nice thick steak.

Two Pull:
Combining Northern Lights Lager and Brother Benedicts Bock, this beer would be the perfect way to introduce a domestic beer drinker to the world of craft.

Duke of Wellington IPA:
Combines heavy hops with an undertone of bitter. A delicious combination that offers a bold enough taste to go head to head with any dish served. Also carries my endorsement as Granite City's most enjoyable.

The Admiral:
Holy bitters batman. This may be a situation where my palate has yet to experience enough bitter to grow a liking to it, but this specialty craft was like drinking straight menthol.

Broad Axe Stout:
Chocolate beer anyone? Broad Axe takes the traditional espresso feel of a stout and flips it into a mocha. The first stout I've ever had that I would consider a dessert beer.