Aroma Thyme Bistro Celebrates Belgium's Independence Day

Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, NY is one of the most innovative restaurants in New York State when it comes to the pairing of craft beer and great food.  The restaurant offers monthly five course beer dinners in which Head Chef/Owner Marcus Guiliano pairs sustainable food with excellent beer.

This past week Guiliano partnered with Duvel Moortgat, the Belgian owners of Brewery Ommegang, to offer a special beer and food pairing to celebrate Belgium's independance day.  The restaurant offered special Belgian beers as either stand alone pints, tasting flights, or paired with a dish created by Guiliano.

Aroma Thyme offered the following pairings.  

Tarragon & Parsley Steamed Mussels
Duvel

Endive & Potato Soup
Ommegang Belgian Independence Day Ale (Spiced Saison)

Flemish Beer & Beef Stew
McChouffe

Crab Cake and Endive Slaw
Liefmans Cuvee Brut

For me, the best part of the Bistro's celebration was the opportunity to taste Ommegang's new spiced saison.  A beer with a wonderful aroma, it was thick with plenty of spices, some fruit notes, and a light dry finish.  The Cooperstown brewery used white pepper in this recipe and it shows.  Much different than it's cousin Hennepin.  You can check out a more extensive review of Ommegang's new beer here.

With the success of the Belgian celebration, Aroma Thyme will be hosting an Oktober celebration to celebrate the famous German event later in the year.