December 4, 2009

Vanberg & DeWulf holiday dinner at The Publican

On Sunday, December 13th, as part of The Publican’s yearlong series of beer dinners; The Brew Masters Series, we are more than ecstatic to welcome Don Feinberg & Wendy Littlefield of the Vanberg & DeWulf Imports. In our opinion Don and Wendy are two of the foremost experts on the importing of Belgian beer into the USA and they just so happen to be some of the most pleasant people we have met. Please join us for a night of warm seasons greetings, magical Belgian beer, and wonderful cuisine. Don and Wendy will be on hand to share their knowledge, expertise, as well as a special holiday raffle.

A little back-story on the beery couple: Don Feinberg & Wendy Littlefield’s keen interest in all things Belgian was kindled thirty years ago. They eloped at Yale, set sail for Europe and took up what would be a three-year residence in Brussels. When their companies transferred them back to New York, they brought with them the rights to a then little-known strong golden ale called Duvel. At first they set about proselytizing to restaurants, bars, and shops in their spare time and on weekends. It later became a full time project as they continued this effort then working with distributors to push their favorite beer.

It is no exaggeration to say that Vanberg & DeWulf essentially built the market and distribution network for Belgian beers in the States. Don and Wendy introduced signature beers from each of Belgium’s great indigenous Belgian brewing styles. In addition to Duvel, they launched the sour red beer, Rodenbach, the abbey-style ales of Affligem, the wacky Kwak, the lambics of Frank Boon, as well as the saisons of Brasserie Dupont, strong ales of Brasserie Dubuisson (aka Scaldis), the light abbey beers of Slaghmuylder (aka Witkap), and the bieres de gardes of Brasserie Benifontaine in neighboring French Flanders. Nearly two dozen beers from the last four breweries make up their portfolio today.

Midway into their Belgian beer careers, sensing that domestic microbrewers would soon begin interpreting Belgian styles, they built Brewery Ommegang on a 136 acre former hops farm in Central New York. It was the first brewery in this country to produce bottle- conditioned cork finished Belgian style ales. They subsequently sold the business to Duvel Moortgat.

From the start, and to this day Vanberg & DeWulf only works with independent, family-run, artisanal enterprises, believing in so doing, they would help to perpetuate some of Belgium’s most endangered styles and authentic brewers. They self-published beer writer Michael Jackson’s first US edition of The Great Beers of Belgium when main line publishers declined the classic work. They are constantly involved in culinary and other gastronic events across the globe and now live right here with us in Chicago IL.

Their steadfast, ardent support of Belgian beer has earned them recognition on both sides of the Atlantic; is it any wonder we are more than ecstatic to celebrate the holidays with them.

The dinner menu

Aperitif – Cuvee des Trolls

Course 1
Biere de Miel- sea urchin and halibut crudo, lemon vinaigrette, chervil, extra virgin
olive oil and kohlrabi

Course 2
Avec Les Bons Voeux- Stuffed Tagliatelle, parmesan, giblet sauce and perigord black truffles.

Course 3
Scaldis Prestige de Nuits- goose leg confit and smoked breast with parsnips and quince

Course 4
Scaldis Noel Premium.- ginger snap cake with roasted pine apple and clotted cream

The price of food is 45 dollars, beer will be $20- $30.
Reservations are encouraged. 
 For more info please contact us @
thepublicanrestaurant.com
837 West Fulton Mkt. Chicago 60607
(312) 733


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