Beer Sommelier to Teach Proper Pouring, Serving Techniques at Belgian Beer Cafe ST. LOUIS, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pouring wine into the proper glass and pairing it with food is a culinary custom known all over the world, but in Belgium, it's all about the beer. Waiters offer suggestions on what dishes best pair with certain beers, which are always served in a glass. There's even a special pouring ritual for the country's best-selling brand -- Stella Artois -- that includes a "sacrifice" and "beheading" of the beer. Washington D.C. area residents will learn these rituals first-hand at the Food & Wine Festival at National Harbor this weekend, where Belgian Master Beer Sommelier Marc Stroobandt will share his extensive knowledge of pairing and pouring Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Leffe within the festival's Belgian Beer Cafe and at select VIP events. "In Belgium, every beer has its own unique glass designed to highlight the beer's special flavor," says Stroobandt, 43. "Much like wine, beer needs to breathe. Pouring it into the right glass allows the carbonation to escape and the aromas to funnel to your nose so that you can fully enjoy the flavor and the experience." In addition to pouring demonstrations, Stroobandt will demonstrate ways to create a great meal using Belgian beer in recipes and as an accompaniment to gourmet food and artisan cheeses. Similar to wine sommeliers or chefs, beer sommeliers endure years of training to acquire the expertise and knowledge required to identify beer styles, use beer in recipes and properly pair beer with food. "Pairing beer with food is not always a familiar concept though for many occasions, beer is a better choice since it is so refreshing," says Stroobandt, who first became intrigued with beer during law school in Belgium and developed a passion and expertise for pairing food with beer during a stint in catering school. The beers Stroobandt will pour and pair with at the Food & Wine Festival at National Harbor include: -- Stella Artois, a classic Belgian lager, golden in color with exceptional clarity and a spicy hop character. The beer will be poured and served in the Stella Artois chalice, which is designed to ensure that the head foams perfectly and the aroma is preserved. -- Hoegaarden, the original Belgian White Beer, has a refreshing flavor with a spicy nose, real Curacao orange peel and a hint of coriander. Hoegaarden, which recently won its fourth consecutive World Beer Cup(R) gold medal, will be served in its signature hexagonal glass, which showcases the head and keeps the beer colder longer. -- Leffe is an authentic and respected Belgian "Abbey" beer, a category almost exclusive to Belgium. Leffe Blonde, which is available in bottles and on draught nationwide, features a dry, fruity and lightly spiced flavor with a perfect balance of strength and subtlety. Leffe Brown, which is available only on draught in cities like Washington D.C., New York and San Francisco, is a dark Abbey beer with notes of warm fruit, tones of rich roasted malts and caramel. Leffe will be served in its signature chalice, which helps preserve the beer's aroma and creates the perfect creamy head. Stella Artois is 5.2 percent alcohol by volume (ABV); Hoegaarden is 4.9 percent ABV; Leffe Blonde is 6.6 percent ABV; Leffe Brown is 6.5 percent ABV. All are brewed in Belgium and available in the United States, distributed by Anheuser-Busch, Inc. The Food & Wine Festival at National Harbor officially begins Saturday, May 17 at 11 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m., then continues Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.foodandwinenh.com/. DATASOURCE: Stella Artois CONTACT: Stacey Thomson, +1-314-577-0733, , for Stella Artois Web site: http://www.anheuser-busch.com/

Copyright