When it comes to pairing great beer with great food, Perennial Artisan Ales has a history of standout collaborations, the latest of which was Sanguchitos by Brasas, the Peruvian rotisserie chicken concept spearheaded by chef Andrew Cisneros.
Now, the brewery is kicking off a fresh partnership with Big Mouth STL.
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Chefs Matt Frentzel and Jon Dittmer will serve up Italian-inspired sandwiches at Perennial’s South City tasting room (8125 Michigan). “Our guests will be happy to have another high-quality food menu at the tasting room,” says Perennial co-owner Emily Wymore.
Big Mouth STL’s soft launch will occur over the Valentine’s Day weekend, and will continue with limited hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Full service is then slated to launch in March.
The Menu
Big Mouth STL’s core lineup will feature Italian-style sandwiches made with fresh focaccia bread that’s baked in house daily. “Jon has been perfecting the focaccia, and it’s baked fresh every day,” says Wymore.
Expect such favorites as Prosciutto & Almond Pesto, Mortadella with Fig & Whipped Burrata, and a Classic Italian packed with bold flavors. Big Mouth will also serve a Roasted Beets with Burrata, as well as a Grilled Cheese made with pesto and honey. Frentzel’s grandma’s pasta salad will also be a staple, along with a rotating seasonal soup.
The Chefs
For Wymore, this new chapter is about more than just food—it’s about welcoming familiar faces back into the fold.
Frentzel and Dittmer met while working together at O+O Pizza. Frentzel also previously worked as a sous chef at Perennial on Lockwood. “Matt has worked in the industry here in St. Louis for so long, and it will be fun to see him shine,” says Wymore.
“The menu was 100 percent up to Matt and Jon,” she adds. “I have full trust in them to create something amazing.”
The addition of Big Mouth STL marks the next step in Perennial’s post-pandemic growth. “With our renovations post-COVID, we expanded to accommodate private and semi-private events,” Wymore says. “Having the ability to offer catering in-house will be a welcome addition as well.”
Although there are no immediate plans for beer pairings or co-branded items, Wymore isn’t ruling them out. “Who knows what could happen down the line?” she teases.
As Big Mouth STL prepared to open inside Perennial, Wymore reflects on the exciting energy of the partnership. “I’m most excited for Matt and Jon,” she says. “I’ll be super happy to see them succeed, as I know they will.”
Follow @perennialbeer and @bigmouth_stl on Instagram for updates.
