A dining experience at Hyeholde takes you to the deepest realms of possibility, serving the finest eats and drinks you’ll possibly ever taste. But, there’s one thing that had been missing on Hyeholde’s menu, a fine table beer. Thanks to a collaboration with Altered Genius Brewing Co., that’s changing and the result is one you have to try for yourself.
Hydeholde and Altered Genius Beer Co.’s Beer Collab
Hyeholde Chef Chris O’Brien actually met Altered Genius Brewing Co. owners Mike Haas and Donnie Cardone in an unusual way. The three share a mutual friend who also happens to be their tattoo artist. After a few conversations together, these three became a match made in brewing heaven.
“We have a shared ethos on locally-sourced products, and we’ve never had a table beer at Hyeholde, so we were both excited to introduce something new to our customers,” says Chef Chris O’Brien.
Behold, the Hyeholde Grisette
The table beer the three dreamed up? The Hyeholde Grisette. It’s on the lighter side, bringing to life an effervescent farmhouse ale that’s bright and crisp. Where many beers can drown out the flavors of a meal and coat your tongue in its properties, this brew is an accompaniment rather than a star on its own.
“Mike and I actually conducted a tasting with some of the crew from Hyeholde and decided on the beers they already had that we wanted to pair with their menu for their Annual Beer Dinner,” explains Donnie Cardone. “The Hyeholde Grisette came out of that. It is a low alcohol ale with pleasant esters and subtle minerality. It is meant to be shared and pairs incredibly well with a variety of the food items on the menu.”
Chef Chris O’Brien notes the creation of the brew is also a fun nod to Belgian (and Pittsburgh) mining traditions since its style was originally for workers to enjoy on the job. While you won’t find any of the staff sipping on The Hyeholde Grisette behind the bar, you will find a glass offered at the Trailside Taproom alongside a special charcuterie box from Hyeholde that features house-made pickles, smoked olives, Hyeholde honey, chicken pâté, gravlax, and a curated selection of cheeses and cured meats. Talk about a delicious hand-picked pairing.
The Fun Doesn’t Stop There
For Altered Genius Brewing Co. this collaboration kick starts a whole line of partnerships that will expand the company’s menu. Cardone and Haas are already looking forward to their next project which includes a collaboration with 100.7 Bubba Show and 96.9 Bob FM to produce beers specifically designed for them.
Overall, the new table beer offers a continuation of Hyeholde’s values. It’s a way to introduce customers to something new while also providing the expertise and fine-quality that people know this restaurant for.
“I’m excited for our guests to learn about the versatility and drinkability of beer,” says Chef O’Brien. “Our guests know us for our carefully-curated wine offerings, but the Hyeholde Grisette is built for pairing.”
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photos Courtesy of Alexa Frankovitch
