Belgium is very probably your best choice of a country to dine out. Some of the world's top restaurants are in Belgium. And, you are not broke after dining in such a temple. Prices in the Belgian top-restaurants lie far under what one dares to ask in similar places in France. In the average restaurant in Belgium, you will find top quality food and a very rich selection for a very fair price. Everybody who has once dined out in Belgium will confirm that.
Why is that? In the previous issues of this Newsletter, you have read about the rich history of the region and all the influences on its culture from the surrounding nations. Gastronomy is culture. Beer is an important part of the Belgian culture. Thus, it is logical that in Belgium, Gastronomy and Beer are linked very closely. Beer and food are so closely united that the average mother and wife prepares several meals with beer at home. Where other cultures would use wine in sauces or to marinate, in Belgium the cooks use beer. Good beer, specialty beer. Beer is not only used IN the meal, but every waiter knows to suggest which specialty beer you should drink with your selection of food.

Let's talk about drinking beer with top-cuisine dishes. Later we will talk about cooking with beer. For all good understanding: we are talking about specialty microbrewed beers here, not the plain common pilsner. A recent survey in a top-quality restaurant showed that 53 % of the guests choose beer instead of wine, when giving the opportunity to drink a top quality specialty beer, matched with each of theirs chosen top quality fancy food dishes. 80 % of these people said that they always prefer the beer-combination if given the opportunity to choose. These well-educated people were for 60 % under 40 years old and, the number of males and females interviewed was the same.

(Newsletter March 1996)