Cocoon Brewing

Some pizzas are good, some are even memorable, and then there are the pizzas you find yourself thinking about days later while you're sitting on the couch trying to decide where to eat. Cocoon Brewing pizza belongs in that last category. This place deserves its own conversation because it's one of the few pizzas near me that I genuinely crave. It isn't the cheapest pizza you'll find, but after the first bite, you stop thinking about the price and start thinking about when you're coming back. The crust is a strong piece of why. It's thin, but don't mistake it for your typical crunchy thin crust. It has the perfect balance of crispness, chew, and flavor. I will say though that the middle pointed area of the piece does sometimes have an issue holding up the toppings but...that happens because they're hand tossing this crust before you eat it so it's not perfectly even. Then there's the sausage. Outstanding. It's flavorful, well-seasoned, and exactly the kind of sausage I hope to find whenever I order my OG sausage and pepperoni pizza. Speaking of that...I have to admit something. Cocoon's Spicy Sausage Pizza is one of the best pizzas I've had anywhere and...it kind of happened by accident. My father-in-law ordered this pizza and his wife and him thought it was pretty spicy. The problem for me is often cooked onions. I don't hate them but I'm not a fan of the texture if they aren't cooked right. Well...in this case; they're cooked to perfection. You can't even tell they are on the pizza (aside from the flavor they add). So...the Spicy Sausage pizza is that good and yet...almost every time I walk through the door, I still order the sausage and pepperoni. It's just my favorite. Every time I leave, I remind myself that next time I'm ordering one of each but...then I have to consider the impact to my wallet. The atmosphere is another reason Cocoon stands out. The restaurant has a welcoming feel, beautiful outdoor seating, and the kind of environment that encourages you to slow down and stay awhile. While the beer is okay, I haven't personally found one that completely blows me away. The pizza, however? Different story - it is exceptional. When I'm sitting at home wondering what pizza sounds good, Cocoon Brewing is one of the very first places that comes to mind. Are we going to drive there? Can I convince my wife that we're heading to De Pere? For me, that's the highest compliment a pizza restaurant can receive. Great pizza fills you up. Exceptional pizza stays with you long after you've left. Cocoon Brewing earns its place in my BEST tier because everything that matters most, the crust, the sausage, the execution, and the overall experience comes together in a pizza that's genuinely craveable. If you're anywhere near De Pere and you're serious about pizza, Cocoon Brewing deserves a spot near the top of your list. Order the sausage and pepperoni if you want to judge the fundamentals. Then do yourself a favor and order the Spicy Sausage pizza too. Trust me...you'll understand why I can't stop thinking about it.