Perfect Houston Pairings: 8th Wonder Brewery and The Pass & Provisions

A huge thanks goes to our “Perfect Houston Pairings” series sponsor, 8th Wonder Brewery.

When it comes to defining Houston’s unique food scene, there’s not a better way to do it than to demonstrate by example. In our Perfect Pairings series, we show how the drinks and food of two independent Houston businesses reflect the unique culinary scene of the city.

It seems like only yesterday Houstonians were trying the first pints of 8th Wonder Brewery’s “witty blonde” Intellectuale and altbier Alternate Universe. Believe it or not, that was back in 2012.

Since then the brewery has expanded their beer offerings, opened a fun, Astrodome-themed taproom, traded in their old Eatsie Boys food truck for a solid gold one and secured a distributor. Their beers are now found across the city and carried by some of the finest restaurants, including the 2016 James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Service, The Pass & Provisions.

Lamb Sausage Pizza with Hopston
8th Wonder Brewery’s Hopston, an IPA, goes well with a little spice and cuts through rich cheeses. That makes it a perfect pairing with the Lamb Sausage Pizza at Provisions. Photo by Chuck Cook Photography

We asked chef Seth Siegel-Gardner to recommend a pairing that features an 8th Wonder Brewery beer with one of his dishes. His suggestion was an excellent eye-opener: Hopston, a “Texas IPA” brewed with Cascade and Citra hops, alongside the Lamb Sausage Pizza at Provisions (the more casual side of the restaurant).

Siegel-Gardner explained why Hopston works so well with the pizza. “Lamb and IPAs are a classic combination, as is pizza and beer,” he said. “Hopston goes well with the little bit of spiciness in the pizza.”

The lamb sausage pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven until the crust bubbles and crackles, which makes for an smoky crunch. It’s also topped with a silky Italian cheese named Casatica di Bufalo. It’s a rare, rich delight made from, as you might guess from the name, the milk of water buffalos. Hopston cuts through and balances the milk fat. Rounding out the pizza ingredients are kale and sweet potato for texture, depth and complexity.

8th Wonder co-founder, Ryan Soroka, says, “It’s an honor to be a regular staple at such an amazing restaurant. Whether you’re looking for a delicious, casual meal or a phenomenal, fine-dining, multi-course experience, The Pass & Provisions has you covered. We thank them for their unwavering support of 8th Wonder and for always pushing the limits of the local dining scene.”

What’s your favorite 8th Wonder Brewery beer and food pairing? Email and let us know or leave a comment below.

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