Strong Belgian ale honors U.S. sacrifices in battle

Modern Brewery Age, Nov 29, 2004

America may be reviled some places in Europe, but in Bastogne, Belgium, the winter of 1944 is still recalled like yesterday. A huge concrete star stands on a hill outside the town as a memorial to the 76,890 Americans killed, injured or reported missing in the Battle of the Bulge.

A Sherman tank dominates the Bastogne town square, and to find the city hall, just cross Gen. McAuliffe square, turn at the Dakota Cafe and it's the building on the right flying the stars-and-stripes, just off Rue de l'American Legion.

After visiting the museums, one can toast the brave Americans of 1944 with local strong ale called "Airborne" that's served in a mug shaped like a U.S. Army helmet.

"Bastogne has never stopped its friendship with the American people," Mayor Philippe Collard said recently. "In Bastogne, you are at home."