LOVELIKEBEER at Monkey Paw Pub

Craft beer is spilling over into other subcultures. One that’s lapping up that overflow with great fervor is the vegan sect. Locally, vegans’ greatest ally in accessing quality craft beer with cuisine that matches their dietary preferences is LOVELIKEBEER. Founded by Kory Stetina and Derek Humbard, vegans and craft beer fans frustrated at a lack of opportunities to enjoy both, LLB has spent over a year setting up pop-up pairing events and getting specialty dishes on at beer-centric eateries.

Their latest vegan menu addition—a “Mumbai Monkey Sandwich”—will debut at Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery (805 16th Street, East Village) on July 24. This ‘wich counters San Diego Soy Dairy tofu that’s flash-fried and coated in a rich peanut-coconut curry sauce with a refreshing carrot-ginger slaw.

But there was more to LLB's back-of-house collaboration than developing this recipe. Stetina and Humbard also worked with Monkey Paw brewmaster Cosimo Sorrentino in coming up with an inventive brew designed to marry with the Mumbai Monkey. The result is Monkey Paw LOVELIKEBEER Lemon Balm and Mint Saison. The light, effervescent farmhouse ale should help to cut the peanut sauce while the lemon balm and mint figure to sync with the tart Asian-inspired slaw.

The sandwich and the beer will go for $14 and, as is custom with LLB”s Menu Series, 10 percent of sales from the special dish will benefit a charity. This time around, it’s Ferdinand's Familia All Species Animal Rescue, an organization Monkey Paw owners Scot and Karen Blair selected.

Note: *Photos of LOVELIKEBEER by Infatuated Eye, food photo by Quinn Farrar Wilson*