Two Brothers Brewing Company Beer Dinner Francesca's Fiore

June 27, 7:00 p.m.  - Francesca’s Fiore (7407 W. Madison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130, 708-771-3063)

Francesca’s Fiore will host a five-course dinner with beer pairing by Two Brothers Brewing Company.  Guests also will enjoy a guest speaker from Two Brothers Brewing Company. The cost is $52 per person, tax and gratuity is not included.  Reservations are required. 

The meal starts with Grilled Oysters, with Spinach Garlic herb butter with beer pairing Prairie Path.  The next course will be Asparagus Milanese, Breaded asparagus topped with arugula tomato and red onion finished with lemon and olive oil paired with Resistance.  The third course features Roasted Eggplant Formaggi, Thick sliced eggplant roasted and topped with a blend of Italian cheeses paired with Domaine Dupage.  The next course offers Grilled Pork Tenderloin, with Wild mushrooms and Red wine rosemary demi with beer pairing Cane & Ebel.  The final course features Fresh Peaches Poached in Amaretto, with Vanilla Gelato and Fried Pasta paired with Ebel Weiss.

Two Brothers Brewing Company Beer Dinner at Francesca's Forno

June 7, 8:00 p.m. – Francesca’s Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622, 773-770-0184)

Two Brothers Brewing Co. celebrates 15 years with Francesca’s Forno.  Come celebrate its anniversary by enjoying a four- course beer dinner with featured guest, Chad Lynd of Two Brothers.  Tickets are $40 per person excluding tax and gratuity and reservations are required.

The first course will feature Fried Green tomato, with tomato and onion, arugula, roasted corn vinaigrette, paired with Prairie Path.  Next will be Salmon Pastrami, with charred red pepper & green onions and banana peppers paired with Domaine DuPage.  The third course will feature Lamb meatballs, with spicy pomodoro, arugula lemon and grana padana paired with White Rye. Finally the dessert course will be Black cherry filled zeppole, dark chocolate and espresso paired with Red Eye.

Unibroue Brewery Beer Dinner at Francesca's Fiore

May 30, 7:00 p.m. – Francesca’s Fiore (7407 W. Madison St., Forest Park, IL 60130, 708-771-3063)

Unibroue Brewery creates unique-tasting craft beers using traditional brewing methods developed over the last two centuries by Belgium monks in Europe.  Their creations are unlike any other product on the market, and no two are alike – try four of their premier pours on Wednesday, May 30^th at Francesca’s Fiore for this exclusive, Unibroue Brewery Beer Dinner. $40 per person, tax and gratuity additional.  Advance reservations required for this sell-out event.   

The evening begins with Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels, golden ale, sweet onion, cilantro, coriander leaves, and toasted pretzel. This is paired with La fin du Monde, triple style golden ale. Following this is Crab and mascarpone filled Raviolo, sweet corn broth and chives, paired with Blonde de Chambly, saison. The next course features Grilled pork tenderloin, charred red peppers, Calabrian chilies. The Maudite, strong amber red ale pairs perfectly with this course. The dinner ends with Triple chocolate hazelnut torte with nutella gelato and espresso caramel. Noir de Chambly, Belgian style black ale is paired with this course.

The Windy City blows into Francesca’s Forno

May 17, 8:00 p.m. – Francesca’s Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-770-0184)

Chicago’s own Windy City Distribution showcases its selection of beers alongside a fun and whimsical original menu created by Francesca’s Corporate Chef, Kevin Ives at Francesca’s Forno.  Enjoy the Lagunitas IPA, an easy-drinking brew, the trendy Original Sin Cider and the robust Left Hand Milk Stout. Tickets are $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and seating is limited.

The beer dinner begins with Sauteed asparagus with black pepper bacon, sunny side up egg, pecorino and extra virgin olive oil, cracked black pepper. Original Sin Cider makes the perfect companion. This is followed by Homemade pappardelle with wild ramps, ricotta and Parmesano Reggianno, paired with IPA, India Pale Ale. The third course features Wild Stripped bass with mashed sunchoke puree and lemon butter sauce. It is a perfect pair for Smutty Nose Porter. The meal finishes with Milk Stout milk shake whipped cream, chocolate strawberries and marinated cherries, and is paired with Left Hand Milk Stout, full bodied sweet stout.

Lagunitas Brewery Beer Dinner at Francesca’s al Lago

April 18, 6:30 p.m. - Francesca’s al Lago (111 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Madison, WI 53703; 608-255-6000)

Whether your beer of choice is a pilsner or pale ale, Lagunitas Brewery is sure to make you a believer in their brews.  Come out on Wednesday, April 18th and enjoy 5 beer selections paired with a menu handcrafted by Chef Sergio Lopez of Francesca’s al Lago. Tickets are $50 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and sure to sell out quickly.

The evening begins with Insalata di Spinaci e Pistacchio, spinach, radicchio, watercress, and pistachio in honey champagne vinaigrette, paired with PILS, Czech Style Pilsner. This is followed by Carpaccio di Mele, apple Carpaccio with brie cheese and cracked black pepper drizzled with a balsamic glaze. It is a perfect pair for IPA, India Pale Ale. The third course features Tagliatelle con Cozze, homemade pasta sautéed with mussels, slow roasted tomatoes, sliced shallots, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. An American Brown Ale, Wilco Tango Foxtrot, makes the perfect companion. Next is Branzino e salsa d’ Aragosta, roasted sea bass with grilled asparagus in tarragon lobster cream sauce, paired with Hop Stoopid Ale, Pale Ale. The meal finishes with Savoiardi con Cioccolata Fondente, lady fingers soaked in Cappuccino Stout with dark chocolate, topped with strawberry compote, and is paired with Cappuccino Stout, Big and dark Stout.

Two Brothers Beer Dinner at Francesca's at the Promenade

March 22, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s at the Promenade (641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300)

Francesca’s at the Promenade’s Winter Beer Dinner features beers from Two Brothers Brewing Company, located just west of Chicago in Warrenville. This four-course meal is $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

The meal starts with Polpo Grigliato, grilled octopus with fagioli gigantic, marinated sundried tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette, which is paired with Two Brother’s Ebel’s Weiss, a German Hefeweizen. This is followed by Polpetti Agnello, lamb meatballs with spicy San Marzano tomato sauce, arugula and lemon. This makes an excellent partner for the Cane & Ebel red rye ale. The third course features Gnocchi con Pancetta, sweet potato gnocchi with cipollini onions, pancetta and brown-butter sage. This is paired with Resistance, an India Pale Ale. The final course features Brasato di Bue, beer-braised beef ribs with parsnip puree paired with Two Brother’s Northwind beer.

Francesca's Tavola Hosts Winter Two Brothers Brewing Beer Dinner January 26

Francesca’s Tavola (208 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005; 847-394-3950) hosts a Two Brothers Brewing Company beer dinner 7 p.m., January 26.

One of the brothers will be on-site to discuss their beer-making process and how their beers pair with Francesca’s food selections. This four-course meal is $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

The meal starts with Polpo Grigliato, grilled octopus with fagioli gigantic, marinated sundried tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette, which is paired with Two Brother’s Ebel’s Weiss, a German Hefeweizen. This is followed by Polpetti Agnello, lamb meatballs with spicy San Marzano tomato sauce, arugula and lemon. This makes an excellent partner for the Cane & Ebel red rye ale. The third course features Gnocchi con Pancetta, sweet potato gnocchi with cipollini onions, pancetta and brown-butter sage. This is paired with Resistance, an India Pale Ale. The final course features Brasato di Bue, beer-braised beef ribs with parsnip puree paired with Two Brother’s Northwind beer.