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Many Christians abstain from alcohol during Lent, but those who do may not realize that beer played a signifi cant
role in helping a small community of 17th century monks survive the Lenten fasting season.
In the weeks leading up to Easter, practicing Christians commonly commit to a period of fasting and abstinence
known as Lent. Th is commitment commemorates Christ’s 40-day journey into the desert, and the sacrifi ces modern
day Christians make are meant to replicate those made by Christ during that period. Many Christians abstain
from alcohol during Lent, but those who do may not realize that beer played a signifi cant role in helping a small
community of 17th century monks survive the Lenten fasting season. Monks from the Order of St. Francis of Paola,
often referred to as “Paulaner monks,” fasted from all solid foods
throughout the season of Lent during the 1600s. According to the
Paulaner Brewery, the monks, originally from southern Italy, relocated
to Bavaria, once an independent country but now a southern
state in Germany, in the 1600s. Th eir strict religious orders forbade
the monks from consuming solid food during Lent, but they still
needed nutrients to sustain them. So the monks concocted a strong
brew loaded with carbohydrates and nutrients. Th e monks must
have liked the beer, as they continued to brew it and even began
selling it in their community. An early doppelbock, the beer was
one of the fi rst off erings from the Paulaner Brewery, which opened
its doors in 1634 and remains open today.
Paulaner Monks - (Image courtesy Paulaner Brewery)
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