July 21, 2008
Belgian Independence Day: Beer, Food, and Did We Mention Beer?
France isn't the only country celebrating a revolution in July. On July 21, 1831 the first king of Belgium was crowned following the Belgian Revolution and the country's split from The Netherlands. For those of you unable to celebrate in Brussels, D.C. has plenty of great places to enjoy Belgian food and, more importantly, Belgian beer. Check out the list below to find out what area bars and restaurants are offering up food and drink specials to celebrate Belgium's independence.
Brasserie Beck
Robert Weidmaier's Belgian bistro is offering 18 draft beers for half-price all day long. Beer specialist Bill Catron has a selection on tap that includes Delirium Tremens, St. Louis Framboise, Gouden Carolus Tripple, Kasteel Tripple, Blanche des Bruxelles, Hoegaarden, Leffe Brune, and Stella Artois. $3-$6 after the discount.
Granville Moore's
Although not a strictly Belgian bar, the Atlas District gastropub has a self-described "healthy Belgian fetish." To celebrate the day, Chef Teddy Folkman will be preparing rabbit stew. Additionally, the bar will be offering the usual Monday special of $1 off draft beers (except for Stella) and $10 moules from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
DCist staff writer Eric Denman contributed
Photo by Samer Farha
Belga Café
Head to Belga after 9 p.m. for an Independence Day party with a DJ, plus 21 featured Belgian beer selections and specials. Word from the staff is that starting after 10:30, select beers are on the house and before 10:30 there will be specials on other beers (to be determined).
Et Voila
Chef Claudio Pirolla, who was named the Best Young Chef in Belgium in 1994, offers District residents a special menu to celebrate the country's independence. The prix fixe dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes stuffed tomatoes, steak frites, crepes and a tasting of three Belgian beers. Cost is $68.50 per person.




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might this be the last time we celebrate this holiday? the belgians have been giving more and more hints that they're ready to call their country kaput and move on from each other separately as flemish and walloons...
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Shit, half price draft beers at Beck? What am I doing at work still?
Oh-oh, I think I'm feeling a cough coming on.
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does the special go all night at Beck!?!?!??! We are going to invade that place like the Hun army.
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I'm celebrating with the crisp, cool taste of Bud Light (I mean, that's a Belgian beer now, right?)
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Seriously? Bud Light? Isn't that blasphemy to the ears of the Trappist monks? And suffering through Anheuser Busch products doesn't make you a great patriot anymore.
Life is short. Drink great beer.
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France isn't the only country celebrating a revolution in July.
...seems like there might have been at least one more.
actually, there are a bunch. But perhaps none quite as much an excuse to drink as the first three.
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Like IMGoph, I'm more concerned about the current Belgian revolution than any past one. Ever since Justine Henin retired from tennis what do those people have left?
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Belgian beer...now THEREs something to be snooty about. If I see ANYONE drinking a Leffe in a Bud Light glass tonight my brass knuckles are going to have a meeting with your junk-sicle.
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Ever since Justine Henin retired from tennis what do those people have left?
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Evil
"On May 10, 2007, Mike Myers announced that he is developing a 4th film in the Austin Powers universe; it will focus more on the character of Dr. Evil."
Okay, Dr. Evil may not be Belgian by birth. More of a step-Belgian, really. But, hey.
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Which Belgian restaurant is serving dubbele paardensteak?