After last year’s New York solo affair, Vanberg & Dewulf’s Coast To Coast Toast returns across the nation with a focus on amazing Belgian beers and how well they pair with food (for more on our thoughts about Belgians, check out this series on Complex). We’re gearing up for this Saturday’s Battle of the Belgians (tickets here), and tonight’s C2CT3 Thursday Tap™ is one of Vanberg & Dewulf’s imports from Brasserie Dubuisson Frères. The Scaldis Blonde Tripel is a 10.5% ABV ale “redolent of vanilla icing, meringue and marshmallow. It is drier than typical Tripels. Scaldis Blond Triple has a heady aroma of white peaches and pears with a hint of astringency. Champagne-like sparkle.” (Courtesy of the Vanberg & Dewulf website – full description here).
We sat down with proprietor Jimmy Carbone to ask him about his association with Wendy Littlefield and Don Feinberg, Vanberg & Dewulf’s owners, Battle of the Belgians and his participation in the first C2CT.
This is the third year J43 is doing V&D’s Coast to Coast Toast. When did you first meet Wendy and Don?
I met them several years ago when we first hosted “Battle of the Belgians” at Jimmy’s No. 43. I made some comments about Belgian beer, but I had organized the event to showcase all the great American beers being made in a Belgian style. I didn’t really know a lot about the small brewery scene in Belgium itself. Wendy reached out, politely corrected some of my factual mistakes, and won me over with great Belgian beer. What followed has been a great relationship—and each year I learn more about Belgian beers!
What are your memories of the first C2CT?
The first C2CT was more low-key. We had a fine lineup of Vanberg & Dewulf beers including many Duponts, Scaldis, and additional beers that made up the core of their portfolio.
Do you remember your first V&D beer? What are some of your favorites over the years?
I definitely remember drinking Saison Dupont on draught. My favorites are usually the specialty Dupont Saisons on draught, especially Bio Foret and Avril. In bottles, I love the La Biere de Beloeil traditional dark farmhouse in large bottle format.
Don and Wendy are modest and hard working. Thirty-two years ago they saved Saison Dupont, and they were the ones who first imported duvel. We always look forward to C2CT as a chance to get reacquainted with their classic beers and also to try new ones. The Dupont Monk’s Stout was a recent discovery for me!
What V&D beers are you serving tonight? As the CTCT3 is focusing on food + beer, can you recommend food pairings to the beers from J43 menu?
Tonight we’ll feature Scaldis Triple on draught, which is the first time we’ve ever had it on draught at Jimmys No .43. For food pairings, Thursday is oyster night so we’ll open Moinette, Saison Dupont, Lambixx—maybe a couple more—and see what goes best with them!
We’re watching the snow fall and the Santas take the city, but we’re ready for plenty of cheer of our own at Jimmy’s No. 43. We’ve got a great line-up of beers this weekend plus plenty of food options, and we’re a great place to shop for gift certificates or just to come in to see what beer people are hanging out.
