So it seems we’ve been collectively missing out on this phenomenon that occurs once a year during the American tradition of giving thanks. It’s big, it’s tasty, and it’s called a “rager.” 

Let’s define rager. In 2010, Wilson Hailey hosted one helluva pumped-up Thanksgiving party, with tons of people, tons of turkey, and tons of pie. It was the kind of head-banging event that magnetized homesick Americans and their curious friends, starved for a slice of Ben Franklin’s bird, pumpkin pie and cozy camaraderie. That luster wore off; people came and went; but the pies? They stayed. And thus, Rager Pie was born in 2012.

At first, the pies were short-lived. Co-founder Hailey ducked down to Shanghai and, meanwhile, befriended six coffee-conscious lads from Gospel Coffee Roasters. He returned to Beijing. He remembered the pies. He bought an oven. Then came the pecan, banana, and apple, all washed down with eclectic third-wave Gospel roasts and alcoholic whipped cream. He was ready to rage again.  

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For now, Rager Pies is delivery-only, where for RMB 120-140 (RMB 25-28/slice), you can bring the likes of a savory chicken-spinach-mozzarella, and, inevitably, pumpkin, to your own rager (or just enjoy them in the quiet of your home). Some may find the crust lacks punch by rager standards, but a graham cracker version is in the works. We do like that the pumpkin pie filling is a hand-mixed combo of pureed Japanese pumpkins and pumpkin chunks and that the pecan plays dangerous games with your blood sugar. Because if that wasn’t the case, it wouldn’t be a rager, would it?

Delivery only, www.ragerpie.com (186 1405 5548)
 

Photo: Joey Guo