Cracking Crab: Meet the star of our summer menu

This summer, 100% British and sustainably sourced crab provides inspiration for a range of dishes on our pub menus. St Austell Brewery development chef, Matthew Worsfold, explains 'Quality seafood caught in British Waters - both in the South West and beyond - is something we always seek to promote.' From light bites to summertime feasting, there's a crab dish on our menus to suit every occasion. 

SEASONAL STAR

Crab is a summer favourite which comes into season in April and is around until November. The succulent crustaceans are prized for the sweet, delicate white meat in the claws and the rich, savoury brown meat in the bodies. 

A versatile and fresh ingredient, crab lends itself to innovation in our development kitchen, and this season our chefs will serve it in a variety of ways including a West Country crab salad with red and white chicory, radicchio, pickled cucumber and sauce vierge; in arancini balls with arrabbiata sauce, parmesan tulle and basil; and as dresses crab thermidor with side salad, wasabi cream, half a baguette and fries. 

CLAW-SOME SIDES

The team like to keep it local, so prioritise sourcing accompanying ingredients for nearby suppliers: 'The South West has such an abundance of fantastic products and produce that, wherever possible, we source vegetables locally,' says Matthew. 'Even the seaweed we use for its umami note comes from Cornwall.'

HOLLY'S PERFECT PAIRINGS

Carefully matched picks from our head of wine, Holly Ninnes...

Dish

West County crab salad with red and white chicory, radicchio, pickled cucumber and sauce vierge

Pairing

Varzea Do Marao Vinho Verde, Portugal

Notes

This delicately effervescent wine is naturally light in alcohol at 8.5% ABV.

Dish

Dressed crab thermidor with side salad, wasabi cream, half a baguette and fries

Pairing

Sub Tropika Sauvigon Blanc, New Zealand

Notes

An aromatic wine with notes of ripe tropical fruit and freshly cut grass on the nose.

Dish

Crab arancini with arrabbiata sauce, parmesan tuile and basil

Pairing

24 Rivers Chenin Blanc, South Africa

Notes

A Chenin Blanc with intense tropical fruit flavours and a crisp finish.

St Austell Wines is the oldest arm of our family-owned business, founded in 1851 as Walter Hicks Wines & Spirits. From a small shopfront in St Austell's historic Church Street, Walter's ability to select the best wines earned him a reputation for excellence amongst the town's wine connoisseurs, allowing him to expand the business to include commercial brewing.

Walter never lost his passion for wine and we continue to supply an ever-expanding list.