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.

Lagunitas Brewery Beer Dinner at Francesca’s Passagio – It’s “Doggone Good Beer”

April 12, 7:00 p.m. – Francesca’s Passaggio (3124 South Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564; 630-946-0600)

Whether your beer of choice is a pilsner or pale ale, Lagunitas Brewery is sure to make you a believer in their brews. Enjoy 5 beer selections expertly paired with Francesca’s food. Tickets are $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The beer dinner begins with Carpaccio di Cernia con Finnocchietto Selvatico e Pompelmo, grouper “Crudo” with shaved fennel, grapefruit sea salt, extra virgin olive oil. Lagunitas crispy wheat and pale malt A Little Sumpin’, makes the perfect companion. This is followed by Gambetta di Pollo al Rosmarino, citrus marinated chicken thighs pan seared in rosemary and chiles oil, paired with IPA, India Pale Ale. The third course features Agnolotti con Funghetti, homemade pasta filled with Prosciutto, caramelized onion in a mushroom sauce and Parmigiano. It is a perfect pair for Wilco Imperial, brown Ale. Next is Pesce Bianco Delicato con Faglioni, roasted Lake Superior Whitefish, French Beans, lemon-butter sauce, paired with New Dogtown, Super premium Pale Ale. The meal finishes Mousse di Cioccolato, chocolate Pot au Cream, and is paired with The Censored, rich Copper Ale.