Belgian Beer Fans Gearing Up For “Coast To Coast Toast”

Van Berg & DeWulf has been to Belgian beer what Mario Batali has been for all things Italian. Tirelessly promoting the beer – long before it became fashionable – the importer is preparing for a massive, nationwide party this Tuesday, November 15th, in honor of its 30th anniversary.

Not surprisingly, The Publican is serving as national headquarters for the event, which will be synchronized with bars, restaurants and shops across the country for a one-of-a-kind Coast To Coast Toast.

In what is surely the single largest one-day celebration of Belgian beer, Wendy Littlefield and Don Feinberg, co-founders of the Belgian beer importer, will be hosting the event. The couple published the first edition of Michael Jackson’s The Great Beers of Belgium, and were pioneers in the production of bottle-conditioned Belgian-style beers in the U.S. with Brewery Ommegang.

The Publican will offer an ‘inspiration box’ prix fixe 6 course menu, $65 per guest, that represents the best of Publican’s beer-friendly fare. The 6-course beer pairing, $20 per guest, will feature six distinctive Vanberg & DeWulf beers, from gruits to abbey singels, strong golden ales and lambics; there’ll also be a cognac beer, fruity ales and more. Seatings will be from 5:30 – 10:30pm, with seatings every 30 minutes.

Here’s Tuesday night’s menu:

Squash salad with pomegranate & goat cheese; paired with Posca Rustica

Smoked mussel crostini; paired with Witkap

Dungeness crab with almond pesto; paired with Hop Ruiter

Potee with wild rice, pork tenderloin, cotechino & pork confit; paired with Peche Mel

Warm Raclette with traditional garnishment; paired with Lambickx

Speculoos cookies