Two prominent St. Louis establishments are joining forces to create an enticing beer and barbecue hub in The Grove. Urban Chestnut Brewing Company will collaborate with Sugarfire Smokehouse to manage the food service at the Grove Brewery and Bierhall. This initiative, characterized as a six-month residency, will kick off during the upcoming Oktoberfest celebration in The Grove, with the renowned smokehouse taking charge of the kitchen thereafter.
“Places like City Foundry thrive because they bring together diverse brands and cherished concepts under one roof,” explains Jon Shine, partner at Urban Chestnut. “That’s our goal here, on a more intimate scale. Whether you visit for the bierhall or for Sugarfire’s delicious offerings, we believe this collaboration will enhance the overall experience for customers.”
Shine mentions that this partnership emerged as he and the Urban Chestnut team were reevaluating their approach following their recent Chapter 11 filing. They reflected on the successful stint of their collaboration with Niche Food Group’s Brass Burger at the Midtown bierhall and decided to channel that energy into the Grove location. Given their previous collaborative projects, Sugarfire naturally came to mind, and Shine quickly received enthusiastic support from Sugarfire owner Mike Johnson.
The Sugarfire residency will not completely replace Urban Chestnut’s food offerings, particularly its extremely popular pizza. Shine clarifies that customers can expect to see Sugarfire’s signature dishes—such as pulled pork, brisket, and smashburgers—offered alongside Urban Chestnut’s pizzas and traditional German cuisine. Additionally, patrons can look forward to mini versions of the brewery’s famous U.R.B. pizza, as well as a rotating selection of German-European favorites, which will include an improved chicken schnitzel and a revival of the strammer max sandwich featuring ham, cheese, and an over-easy egg.
The official partnership launch will take place this Sunday in The Grove during the brewery’s Oktoberfest celebration, and the grand opening for the residency is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 15. Shine notes that while they are currently planning for a six-month collaboration, they are open to reassessing the arrangement based on how well it is received. Regardless of its duration, he is thrilled about the opportunities this opens for both brands.
“What excites us the most is the chance to approach Sugarfire with ideas like, ‘We just released a new beer from Germany. Could you whip up a special dish to pair with it?’” shares Shine. “They are incredibly accommodating, flexible, and can adapt quickly. This collaboration opens up numerous opportunities for authentic and creative culinary experiences.”