Smashburger and Deep Ellum Brewery have teamed up to announce a new menu which pairs the seared burgers with five local craft beers. The new menu, which launched March 20 at 13 Dallas/Ft. Worth Smashburger locations with pairings from $8.68 each, are part of Smashburger's localization initiative which focuses on local ingredients and regionally inspired creations along with local craft beers in each of its markets.
"Burgers and beer are a great American occasion," said Tom Ryan, founder of Smashburger. "Therefore, our goal has been to bring great beer and burgers to the forefront. With Deep Ellum's creativity and quality of product, we knew we had made the right partnership."
Indeed, there's something All-American about the pairing of burgers and beer. Rooted in the Old World and refined in the New, the humble yet satisfying duo typifies the straightforward, honest cooking that has long been a hallmark of American dining. One can almost picture the fecund promise of the American West; a vision of free-roaming steers grazing the High Plains above a golden ocean of undulating elephant-high wheat. Although burgers and beer have long been paired together in full-service outlets, breweries, and gastropubs, Smashburger touts the pairing menu as the first by a national fast-casual concept restaurant.
Eight Smashburger items, including some new offerings, and five different Deep Ellum brews have been paired. The new menu includes: Jalapeno BBQ burger, paired with Rye Pils; Mushroom and Swiss burger, paired with Double Brown; Spicy Baja burger, paired with Deep Ellum IPA, BBQ, Bacon and Cheddar burger, with Rye Pils; Avocado Club Burger, paired with Dallas Blonde; Grilled Chicken Cucumber and Goat Cheese sandwich, paired with Dallas Blonde; Crispy Buffalo Chicken sandwich, paired with Deep Ellum IPA; and Classic burger, paired with Dallas Blonde.
Aroma, texture, and taste for both the burgers and the brews were considered when formulating the pairing menu. The menu encourages diners to note how the malt flavor of the Rye Pils enhances the smoke of the bacon and BBQ sauce of the BBQ, Bacon, and Cheddar burger; the strong hop character of the Deep Ellum IPA complements the richness of the bleu cheese of the Crispy Buffalo Chicken sandwich; and the chocolate and dark dried fruit of the Double Brown Stout contrasts with the creamy smooth Mushroom Swiss burger.
Smashburger also offers a variety of chicken sandwiches, salads, and grilled and split hot dogs with sides such as fried pickles, rosemary-and-garlic Smashfries, Haystack Onions, and Veggie Frites. The company operates and franchises 200 locations in 29 states and four countries outside the United States.
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