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(Cooperstown, NY) – On November 15th, to celebrate King’s Day in Belgium and its 30th anniversary as the Belgian Beer Experts, Vanberg and DeWulf is holding what it has billed as, “the single largest one-day, national celebration of Belgian beer this millennium in the USA.” Across the country, over 350 better beer establishments will celebrate this event, The Coast to Coast Toast.
Here are 10 Must-Knows for this historic event…
BEFORE THE 15TH:
1. Familiarize yourself with the history of Vanberg and DeWulf.
An importer of Belgian beers that has been at the better beer movement in the USA since the beginning.
For centuries, the region [Belgium and Northern France] has been the richest repository of gastronomic beers in the world. When we began importing in 1982, Belgian beers were virtually unknown in the United States, and American micro-brewing was in its infancy. Today the U.S. is indisputably the most vibrant, raucous exciting brewing culture in the world. Among American cognoscenti, Belgian beers are rightly revered and widely imitated. If you would like to know why, or if you would like to help contribute to their continued vitality, you have come to the right place.
2. Learn about the breweries (and beers) that V&D imports.
Saison Dupont, Scaldis Bush De Noël, Castelain Blond Biere De Garde…do those beers ring a bell? V&D is also beginning to import beer from other countries like Italy with Birra Amiata. Here’s the official list of the beers for the Coast to Coast Toast (pdf) and V&D’s 2011 portfolio with full write-ups on each beer (pdf).
3. Check out an exclusive video interview and write-up with Dupont’s Olivier DeDeycker.
Olivier DeDeycker, the brewer and partner at the family-run Brasserie Dupont, makes some of the world’s most admired beers. Saison Dupont has been called “The best beer in the world. Period.” Talented US microbrewers so often name Dupont ”their favorite beer that they don’t brew” that we have stopped counting. Olivier has never travelled to the States to meet his legions of admirers. But now, thanks to the good work of our friend the beer writer, photographer, and beer enthusiast, Chuck Cook, we are pleased to present you with a 6 minute video interview with Olivier – in English – about Brasserie Dupont, the beers, and the brewery history.
ON THE 15TH:
Every Tuesday at 5:00 PM, New York City publican Jimmy Carbone plays host to an audio ale salon celebrating the world of craft beer. Through discussions with beer industry insiders and knowledgeable beer fans from across the country, Jimmy and his friends explore every aspect of the brewer’s craft from grains to pint glass and tasting to toasting.
5. Attend a #C2CT event at one of over 350 better beer establishments that are participating.
Have a peek at Eventbrite to see a partial list of fantastic places that have signed up – 350 and counting! Many of the very finest beer venues in the country are taking part. All on one day. Locate and patronize a place near you. Meet a friend there. Spread the word. Share the love of Belgian beer and the great people who bring it to you.
6. Seek out the all-new Dupont’s Monk Stout.
RateBeer’s Mario Rubio writes:
What’s surprising about this beer is that while it’s a stout, I’m instantly reminded of Saison Dupont. The grassy barnyard notes that make Saison so identifiable, and for me, such a perfect summer beer shine through without a problem.
7. Tag your drinking/celebratory tweets with #C2CT on Twitter.
ON THE 15TH AND BEYOND:
8. Enter to win a free trip to Belgium for two.
The Untappd Belgian badge goes live on 11/15. You have a chance to win a free trip to Belgium for two if you earn a Belgian badge between November 15 and December 15. The kind people at Untappd are unveiling the badge in honor of Vanberg & DeWulf’s 30th anniversary. Only checking in with a Vanberg & DeWulf beer will get you in on the drawing. This free trip for two is sponsored by the Belgian Tourist Office and Delta Airlines.
9. Stay on top of further updates from Vanberg and DeWulf.
Sign up for the newsletter (scroll all the way to the bottom).
Considered pioneers in bringing Belgian beer styles to the American market, Vanberg & DeWulf introduced American beer lovers to Duvel, Rodenbach, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Affligem abbey beers, Frank Boon’s lambics (gueuze, kriek, framboise, faro and Mariage Parfait), Blanche de Bruges wit beer, Saison Dupont, the first Belgian organics, Kwak and …oh yeah, they founded Brewery Ommegang.
And for that, we say “Thanks” to Wendy and Don!
As a bonus, here is another write-up on the Coast to Coast Toast from Lew Bryson.
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