Flat Branch Pub is known for incorporating alcohol into its recipes. The green chili chicken fingers, beer cheese soup and one of the house marinades contain traces of it. It’s no surprise the restaurant utilizes beer in the desserts as well.
If you haven’t filled up on delicious brews and tasty burgers, save room for the Stout Brownie Sundae. The chefs make this speciality item with Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, and served with a side of Mizzou-made Arbuckles ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Diners can choose from Mizzou Gold, Tiger Stripe or the flavor of the week. The dessert is served on a massive plate, so this dish is great for sharing if you’re feeling particularly generous.
Executive chef Mike Arnall, who has been at Flat Branch since 2008, says the decadent brownie was on the menu before he started and might be one of the original desserts from the restaurant’s opening 21 years ago.
The process starts with a standard brownie recipe mixed with the Oil Change stout, one of Flat Branch’s core eight beers served throughout the year.
Kyle Butusov, Flat Branch’s head brewer, says the stout has a smoky, coffee, chocolaty taste. The beer is used in the stout brownie to complement those flavors.
The moist brownie is rich as fudge and mildly sweet. Oil Change Oatmeal Stout is thick and bitter like coffee, so the combination resembles dark chocolate. The local ice cream brings texture and sweetness to the whole platter. Beer and brownies: Who knew this unlikely combination could taste so good?
— Claire Lardizabal
Stout Brownie Sundae | Flat Branch Pub | 449-0400 | 115 S. Fifth St. | $5.99
Source: Boozy bites in Columbia
Claire Lardizabal 