Many cities have a terrible problem with thousands of pigeons in the center of the city. The birds have become a nuisance for the public's health and their droppings are damaging old buildings and statues. In Lebbeke, a little town in Flanders, the city elaborated a new way to catch the doves.

They soak grain in beer (a strong triple ale works best) and feed it to the doves. The birds love it so much, that they leave all other food and flock to the places where the beer-drenched grain is offered.

After eating a while from this grain, the doves are drunk and very easy to catch.

The caught doves are killed, sorted by a veterinary surgeon, and the healthy doves are offered to the local restaurants for sale.

Pigeon is a delicatessen, certainly when it is prepared (marinated) in beer.
(Newsletter August 1996)