Beggars Pizza & Blue Island Beer Company Create The Ultimate Beer and Pizza Pairing

There are few things that go with pizza as well as an ice-cold beer, and beginning this Wednesday at St. Donatus Fest, you’ll get a chance to try one made specifically to pair with pizza. “St. Donatus Red Ale” is the result of a local business collaboration between south side pizza icon Beggar’s Pizza and popular local craft brewery Blue Island Beer Company.

The partnership began earlier this year, when Beggars Pizza CEO Larry Garetto approached Blue Island Beer Company Owners Alan Cromwell and Bryan Shimkos about a potential collaboration, and by June, a beer exclusively for Beggar’s Pizza was brewing along with a plan for a special early release at St. Donatus Fest.

Over the fest’s five days, an estimated 15,000 pieces of St. Donatus’ famous volunteer-made pizza are served – and this year, those over 21 years of age will be the first to enjoy St. Donatus Red Ale with their beloved, foil-wrapped squares of St. Donatus pizza perfection.

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Beggars Pizza on this project,” says Cromwell. “We admire their commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and supporting the communities they serve, and when it comes to pizza, there’s no better authority on the South Side.”

Following the beer’s debut at the fest, St. Donatus Red Ale will be available exclusively at Beggars locations across Chicagoland.