You Oughta Know: Windsor Pizza Pairings
Comfort Pairings That Just Get Me
I’m here, to remind you, of the stress you feel when your fridge is bare. It’s not fair to deny you, of the comfort pairings Windsor gave to me… so you oughta know.
Straight from cold taps and hot ovens, these Windsor spots are what local’s all about, passionate people making something worth sharing. Each pairing is a little reminder that comfort can come crispy, cheesy, or ice-cold, and that sometimes, indulgence is the answer.
I kicked off my pairing journey with Chapter Two Brewing Co. x OG Pizza, a collab that’s pure Windsor through and through. Next stop was Walkerville Brewery, where the pizza and pretzels played perfectly with the beer, because carbs and craft beer just get each other. Then it was over to Cured Craft Brewing Co., serving up bold flavours and pours that quickly made it one of my favourite stops on the tour. From there it was off to BREW Microbrewery, centrally located in Essex County and set on a 31-acre wooded estate, where big flavours and bold beers made every sip and bite feel worth the trip. And finishing things off at FRANK Brewing Co., the kind of spot where you’ll definitely want to save room.
You oughta know I wouldn’t tease you with talk of comfort pairings and not serve the full story.
Let’s dig in.
Chapter Two Brewing Co. X OG Pizza
An original love story
I penned a brand-new chapter in my pizza-and-beer love affair. I walked into Chapter Two Brewing Company, sat back with a flight of beer, and across the table waited the perfect pie, the Windsor-style “Super” from Original Guys Pizza Pies – OG Pizza.
But before we get too deep into this perfect pairing, we’ve got to flip back to the beginning of the book, because every great love story needs a little backstory. Chapter Two started back in February 2018 as a passion project among friends and grew into a craft-brew destination in Windsor’s old neighbourhood of Walkerville/Ford City. And then there’s OG Pizza, a celebrated local spot with one of their locations just steps away from Chapter Two. Started by lifelong friends in Essex County, OG has been perfecting their craft for decades. Windsor-style pizza itself has roots tracing back to the late 50s, known for its signature shredded pepperoni, cornmeal-base, and local Galati cheese that melts just right.
Now, I’d be doing you wrong if I didn’t mention just how incredible the crust is at OG. Hand-pulled daily, light and puffy with those perfect bubbles that make it impossible not to dip. And dip I did, right into Mike’s OG Garlic Sauce. That creamy, garlicky sauce amped up every bite, bringing out the salt, crunch, and chew of the pizza in the best way. Paired with a cold beer from Chapter Two, it all just worked.
So yes, this pairing was brag-worthy. A brewery committed to great beer, a pizza spot that defines Windsor’s signature style, and one sauce that brought it all together. If this isn’t an original love story, I don’t know what is. Because when it comes to OG Pizza and Chapter Two, I’m convinced, we’re never ever getting over this pairing.
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Walkerville Brewery
I want it all, and I found it here
A beer flight poured with pride, a pretzel with a kick, and a pizza that’s loaded with shredded pepperoni. Walkerville Brewery might just be the win I was after all along. Whether you’re a craft beer fanatic or just someone chasing a good pint, it’s the kind of place that makes “one beer” turn into “just one more.”
Walkerville Brewery mixes history with heart in a way that just feels right. Since 1890, when Hiram Walker opened the doors, it’s been all about honest beer made with care and quality ingredients. More than a hundred years later, that same dedication still shows up in every pint, making it the kind of place where you want to stick around and soak it all in.
When I popped into Walkerville Brewery for a pint, let’s just say the snack bar made it way too easy to stay a little longer. The Windsor-style pizza hit every craving I didn’t even know I had. In Windsor, we know the secret’s in the shred. That pepperoni always delivers, crispy edges, rich flavour, and that perfect hit of nostalgia with every bite. The spicy pretzel also showed up ready to compete for attention, warm, salty and the perfect amount of heat. And then came Bubie’s Garlic Sauce, rich, creamy, and unapologetically garlicky, the kind of sauce that doesn’t just complement a bite, it completes it.
Every sip and every bite worked together perfectly. Could be the beer, could be the setting, or maybe Walkerville Brewery just gives you a little slice of local pride with everything. So here’s to Walkerville Brewery, a local legend that proves you really can have it all.
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Cured Craft Brewing Co.
Doctor’s orders, got myself Cured
Some pairings just hit right. At Cured Craft Brewing Co. in Leamington, I certainly found one that had me feeling real good.
Leamington’s only craft brewery shows that small batch can still deliver big flavour. Set inside a beautifully restored heritage building in the heart of uptown, every pint is poured with care and every plate is a hit. Worth the drive if you’re from Riverside like me, and even better if you’re already in town.
My food pick? I doubled down with two pizzas, but let’s talk about the “Dill on Mill”. The moment I saw pickles on a pizza I knew it was happening. With herb-infused oil, mozzarella, Bradt’s bacon, red onion, dill weed, and a tangy dill drizzle, this one’s crispy, creamy, and dill-icious. The pickles bring the punch, the bacon brings the comfort, and together they cure just about any craving you didn’t know you had.
Pair it with a beer, or even better, grab a flight like I did. Cured’s handcrafted brews are made to explore, and every pour hits a little different. The balance between a crisp pint and that bold, herby pizza is pure chemistry, smooth, savoury, and exactly what good days are made of.
Cured isn’t just a brewery. It’s a place that reminds you to slow down, sip something special, and enjoy what’s right in front of you. A little handcrafted, a little local, and a whole lot of feelgood.
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FRANK Brewing Co.
Somewhere only locals know
I’m getting old, and I need something to rely on, good thing FRANK Brewing Co. never lets me down. Straightforward, bold, and full of flavour, FRANK’s beers are brewed the way their granddad would have wanted. Pure, honest, and impossible to forget.
The taproom lets you watch the 15 barrel brew house and fermenters in action while enjoying the energy of good music, plenty of taps, and a dog friendly patio. Big screens keep the game in sight and every visit feels effortless.
I came to FRANK with one mission in mind, to see how their beers and pizza would pair. Some pairings just work and this one hits every time. Let me tell you, their pizza has a perfectly crispy crust, melty cheese, and bold toppings. Pair it with a FRANK beer and every sip and slice feels like it was made for each other. Grab a flight to explore the brews or stick with a pint and let the flavours do the talking.
FRANK isn’t just about great beer and pizza. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down and enjoy the simple things done really well. Every sip and slice reminds you why small batch, handcrafted, and local always hits different. Somewhere only we know, and definitely somewhere worth visiting.
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BREW Microbrewery
These Brew-tiful things that I sought
Editor’s Note: BREW is open seasonally, March through December.
Some things are worth holding onto. Good beer, good food, and good company. At VIN Winery, home to the beer and cider from BREW Microbrewery, I found all three, and maybe even a few brew-tiful things along the way.
Set just outside the city in Essex County wine country, VIN Winery has that easygoing charm that makes you want to stay awhile. It is the kind of place where time slows down a bit, the wines, beers and cider flow just right, and the setting does half the talking. I started with a flight from BREW featuring their Brew Lager, Lime Beer, Maple Beer, and crisp Cider. Each one had its own personality, from bright and smooth to slightly sweet, but together they struck a perfect balance.
Then came the flatbread from Smashed Apple’s menu, and this one delivered. Grilled peaches and prosciutto with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, red onions, balsamic drizzle, and microgreens. Sweet meets salty, creamy meets crisp, and somehow it all just works. Every bite was a reminder that pairing food and beer is one of life’s simple joys, because sometimes the beautiful things are right in front of you.
The grilled peaches brought back a little taste of summer, and the prosciutto added that rich, savoury touch that made each bite feel special. One sip of the Maple Beer tied it all together, smooth and a little sweet, the kind of pairing you want to sit with a little longer.
BREW might be small in name, but it is big on feel. Between the local taps, the relaxed atmosphere, and the charm of VIN’s estate, it is the kind of spot that makes you slow down and take it all in. Because when the food is this good, the beer this balanced, and the vibe this right, you cannot help but hold onto it.
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Every stop reminded me why comfort pairings are so much fun. Bold flavours, perfectly crafted bites, and refreshing pints made for a tasty adventure. You oughta know, these spots are a great place to start if you want to explore what Windsor has to offer. Dig in and see what hits for you.
Original Blog by: @daveeatsofficial
