Ep 6. Bacon Behemoths

In this episode of Burgers, Brew & 'Que titled "Bacon Behemoths," host Michael Symon ventures to St. Louis, Missouri, to check out a staple of the city's barbecue scene, Pappy's Smokehouse. The episode opens with a quick montage of Pappy's impressive accolades, including being named one of the top barbecue joints in the country by numerous publications.

When Symon arrives at Pappy's, he's greeted by the owner and head pitmaster Skip Steele. Steele takes Symon through the entire process of smoking their famous ribs, which includes a dry rub, a long smoke over apple and cherry wood, and a quick sear on a hot grill. Symon can barely contain his excitement as he bites into one of the succulent ribs, declaring it one of the best he's ever had.

Next, Symon travels to a local brewery in St. Louis, 4 Hands Brewing Company, to sample some of their unique beers and learn about the brewing process. The owners of 4 Hands explain their approach to brewing, which includes experimenting with different flavors and ingredients like coffee and milk sugar. Symon samples a few of their popular brews, including a coffee-infused oatmeal brown ale that pairs perfectly with barbecue.

The final stop on Symon's St. Louis tour is a restaurant called The Shaved Duck. Their specialty? Bacon, and lots of it. Symon tries their famous bacon mac and cheese, made with three types of cheese and topped with generous amounts of crispy bacon. The restaurant's chef also demonstrates how they make their signature dish, the bacon-wrapped meatloaf, which is stuffed with smoked cheddar cheese and served with a side of bacon-braised greens. Symon can hardly contain his excitement as he takes a bite of the meatloaf, declaring it a true "bacon behemoth."

Throughout the episode, Symon highlights the unique flavors and techniques used by each restaurant and brewery, showcasing the best of St. Louis's food and drink scene. As always, his enthusiasm and passion for food make for an entertaining and informative episode that will leave viewers craving barbecue, beer, and all things bacon.