This Waterloo region restauranteur has joined the order of beer knights who say 'santé!'
CBC
Jody Palubiski has a new title: Beer knight.
And while that designation may have people making Monty Python jokes, it's no laughing matter.
Palubiski is CEO of The Charcoal Group, which owns Beertown, Wildcraft and The Bauer Kitchen among other restaurants, and he received his new beer knight status from the Belgian Brewers Federation, which takes the title very seriously.
"I think if you look at the Belgian beers, their history, their culture … it's an incredible group of people as far as celebrating their history, building on it, continuing to move that culture forward," Palubiski told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's Craig Norris, host of The Morning Edition.
"It's a huge, huge part of their country, of their economy and they like to celebrate it."
The Charcoal Group is one of the largest importers of Belgian beers in Canada and Palubiski had to be nominated for the title. He says he received the nomination in part because he's travelled to Brussels a number of times for events with the Belgian Brewers and members of the federation have also visited the restaurants here in Ontario.
Palubiski doesn't see it as a title just for him, but instead says it's a way to celebrate all the staff who work for the restaurant group.
The Belgian Brewers Federation website says knights are "individuals who have rendered loyal services to the brewing profession."
In an email to CBC News, the Belgian Brewers Federation confirmed only eight Canadians have been made an honorary knight of the Knighthood of the Brewers' Paddle, including Palubiski.
The federation said he was recognized because The Charcoal Group "has introduced Belgium's incredible products and rich brewing history to countless diners and continues to be a leading distributor of Belgian products in Canada."
The ceremony to become a beer knight took place on Sept. 2 at the Brewers' House on the Grand-Place in Brussels as part of the Belgian Beer Weekend.
Palubiski says to celebrate the new title, the restaurants are planning some events in the coming months, such as food and beer pairings with, of course, Belgian beers.
He says there also may be another personal perk to the knighthood and the medal he gets to wear.
"I have been told that if, when in Belgium, if I'm wearing this [medal], I get free beer anywhere," he said with a laugh. "I have not tested it, but that's what I've been told, so maybe I'll be moving shortly."