For the 40 days of lent Munich’s mendicant order of Minim friars from the of the Neudeck ob der Au cloister abstained from solid food, but their beloved “liquid bread” was allowed. In fact, they brewed up an extra hefty beer loaded with grain. This gave them a filling drink with which to fill their bellies and, if they had leftovers, the beer was passed on to the poor or sold in the monastery taverns. This beer, “Sankt-Vater-Bier” became so desired that Munich’s private breweries complained about the monastical competition and the brewery points to this document as its first evidence of existence in 1634.
In 1774, one of their brewers, Monk Valentin Stephan Still (aka Brother Barnabas), stirred up a version that was double as strong as their early bock beer, thus becoming the first Doppelbock beer.
This grand tradition has involved into an annual festival with all of Munich’s breweries producing their own version of strong beer (Starkbier). Festivities kick off with “Derblecken” when Bavaria’s politicians get roasted during a comedy show which will be televised nation-wide. After that, the taps start flowing for the general public and you can join in the fun at Paulaner am Nockherberg, Augustiner Keller, or the Lowenbräukeller. Better yet, join us March 13-22, 2020 for the happenings! Details are here:
www.bayerntrips.com/tours-of-bavaria/show/starkbierfest-2020.html