Category 12 Menu inspiration

Guiding Principles for Our Menu

1. Local and Seasonal Focus: Highlight local ingredients and partnerships (e.g., Michell Farms beef, Plot Market Garden greens). Lean into seasonality for rotating specials or limited releases.
2. Scratch Kitchen: Emphasize house-made components like sauces, marinades, or baked goods to set your offerings apart.
3. Innovative Pub Fare: Reinvent classics with unexpected twists, balancing familiarity with creativity.
4. Beer Pairings: Design dishes that complement your beer offerings, showcasing their unique flavors.
5. Community Engagement: Include shareable plates or options that encourage communal dining, enhancing the taproom experience.

Menu Themes or Additions

1. Elevated Comfort Food:
   • Examples: Poutines with inventive toppings (e.g., beer-braised pork, house-made gravy); gourmet mac and cheese with seasonal veggies or local proteins.
   • Inspiration: Rusted Rake’s hearty yet refined approach to comfort classics.
2. Global Flavors with a Local Twist:
   • Examples: Bahn Mi-inspired sandwiches using local pork, curries infused with your beer, or Mediterranean platters with house-made dips and flatbreads.
   • Inspiration: Wheelies’ globally influenced dishes like za’atar wings.
3. Beer-Infused Dishes:
   • Examples: A stout-braised beef stew, IPA-infused cheese sauce, or beer-glazed vegetables.
   • Highlight how beer plays a role in cooking, directly connecting it to your brewery.
4. Vegetarian and Vegan Options:
   • Examples: A vegan grain bowl with local produce and tahini dressing, or a hearty veggie burger made in-house.
   • Inspiration: Tre Fantastico’s focus on fresh, vibrant veggie-forward plates.
5. Rotating Seasonal Features:
   • Showcase seasonal produce or limited-availability items (e.g., summer corn tacos or winter root veggie gratins).
   • This keeps your menu fresh and reflects your brewery’s innovative ethos.

Key Dishes

1. Signature Burgers:
   • Expand on your Deluxe C12 Burger with rotating toppings inspired by local ingredients or beer themes.
   • Example: A winter burger with caramelized onions, blue cheese, and a beer reduction.
2. Small Plates for Sharing:
   • Encourage social dining with charcuterie boards, beer-friendly dips (like whipped feta or IPA hummus), and inventive flatbreads.
   • Example: Smoked paprika aioli potatoes or roasted seasonal veggies.
3. Hearty Salads and Bowls:
   • Incorporate grains, roasted veggies, or proteins like beer-marinated chicken or crispy falafel.
   • Example: A warm kale and quinoa salad with roasted squash, feta, and citrus vinaigrette.
4. Signature Sandwiches:
   • Reinvent classics like grilled cheese with unique cheeses and add-ins, or use beer-marinated proteins.
   • Example