Episode 358 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently. It features Tom Peters, the proprietor of the Monk’s Cafe, a Belgian beer bar in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Tom Peters has helped to put seriously good Belgian beer in front of American drinkers in a dedicated way for decades now, and he is one of the real pioneers of the better beer culture now flourishing in the United States. This chat finds him outlining how a guy who had experience working in a law office and selling audio equipment, gets to be a leader in a fledgling beer scene. Clearly, his work had a large impact, not just in Philadelphia where his beer-focused Monk’s Cafe is located, but also across the country. We all know now that eventually, the beer world would end up moving away from industrial products and towards craft brews, embracing traditional European benchmarks along the way. What is less well known is the situation in a place like Belgium, which Tom assures us has interesting beers partly because of its willingness to welcome a diversity of ingredients. Tom is a laid-back guide to some of the top breweries of the region, and it is clear that he is discussing long-time friends as well as his favorite brews. It is rare for IDTT to feature a beer-focused interview, but when the guest combines such extensive knowledge with such a relaxed personality, it is welcome indeed.
Listen to this episode:
I’ll Drink to That is the world’s most listened-to wine podcast, hosted by Levi Dalton. Levi has had a long career working as a sommelier in some of the most distinguished and acclaimed dining rooms in America. He has served wine to guests of Restaurant Daniel, Masa, and Alto, all in Manhattan. Levi has also contributed articles on wine themes to publications such as The Art of Eating, Wine & Spirits magazine, Bon Appetit online, and Eater NY. Check out his pictures on Instagram and follow him on Twitter: @levi_opens_wine
