Allaboutbeer.com has tons of great features, including a news section in which I found the following tidbit:
Belgium Brewers Guild Honors AmericansOmmegang deserves all the accolades it gets for creating a world-class product and facility right here in upstate New York. Posted by jimj at February 21, 2005 12:07 PM | TrackBack
Four Americans were knighted by the Knighthood of Brewers in Belgium last autumn. The four were recognized for their contributions to the art of Belgian brewing and for creating an interest in Belgian beer in the U.S. Honored at the ceremony were Randy Thiel of Brewery Ommegang, Tom Peters, co-owner of Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, Eddie Friedland, owner of Edward I. Friedland distributorship in North Philadelphia and Joe Lipa of Merchant du Vin Importers.Commenting on his Knighthood, Sir Joe remarked: "I sampled my first Belgian beer in 1979 and knew this country was producing something special. Over the years I have had the honor to work with Belgium's most respected brewers like Orval, Westmalle, Lindemans and Huyghe. I also have had the honor to work with some great Belgian beer bars like Monk's Cafe, Sharp Edge and Lucky Baldwin's, who also were knighted for their efforts. It has taken many years for the Belgian beer scene to happen, but it's here now big-time."