Mardi Gras is only a few days away and then lent is upon us. Over 1.3 billion Catholics will observe this season of abstinence and limiting or cutting out alcohol are popular choices. Bavarian monks would beg to differ. For well over 1000 years monks have brewed beer to raise money for their monasteries and communities. They also appreciated their beer as “liquid bread” to nourish during liquid fasts like lent.
For 800 years Einbeck Germany has enjoyed their “strong beer season” from Christmas to Easter. Cold weather called for rich, malty, sweet lager. The summer would bring helles, and hefeweizen, and Octoberfest would bring marzen and ambers.
Einbeck’s famous beer spread south to Munich in Bavaria and Beck became Bock by accent. Bock beer is rich, malty, and stronger than other beers.
Bock also means “goat” in German so many brewers use a goat in their advertising. Ayinger is the most famous for the use of a goat as they actually include a figure of a goat hanging around the neck of their bottle!
I know of no other beer that includes a goat or any other animal or figurine around it’s neck.. It also happens to be considered the GOAT of Doppelbocks by many.
Doppelbock is a stronger and bigger version of a bock that was first brewed in Munich by monks. They range from 6.5% to 10% ABV (Alcohol) and are sweet, malty, and nourishing.
In 1627 pious Duke Maximillian I of Bavaria sent invite to Italy for the Paulaner monks of Saint Fransiscus of Paola come to Munich and do “good works.” Good works they did!
A chapter of the Benedictines, these monks brewed beer to pay for their monastery and charities in the community. They called their beer “sankt vater bier” or “Holy Father” beer which evolved to “Salvator” which means savior.
In 1774 Valentin Stephan Still, monk and brewer, doubled the recipe to create “the double” or “doppelbock.”
Doppelbock was tapped mid lent to give monks extra nourishment during their liquid fast. Malted wheat and barley that was boiled and pestilance free.
In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte conquered the region and busted up the Paulaner operation due to his “secular policy.” He seized the brewery as property of the state and let it gather dust. Eventually it was purchased by the private sector and brought back to life in 1813.
Salvator became synonymous with Doppelbock until the private Paulaner company told others they couldn’t refer to themselves that way any longer.
Other breweries named their beers with “ator” at the end of their names to pay homage and let customers know what they are.
The good news is that they are not tough to find because they are classics and have earned a place in many hearts.
Doppelbocks To Try
- Paulaner “Salvator” Munich $10 6pk
- Ayniger “Celebrator” Munuch $12 4pk
- Weihenstephaner “Korbinian” N. Munich $4 a 16.9 oz bottle
- Spaten “Optimator” Munich $12 6pk
- Weltenburger “Asam Bock” Bavaria $4 16.9 oz bottle
The Pretzel, Lent, And Beer Connection
Germans are resposible for the pretzel, but have you ever stopped to ask why it is shaped as it is?
Pretzel comes from the German “bretzlel” which comes from the “bracellae” or “little hands.” They represent folded hands in prayer and were enjoyed during the easter season.
Doppelbock is best enjoed with sausage, pork tacos, duck, stew, chocolate cake, or anything that bread would accompany. Due to the sweet aspect you can also use a Doppelbock to balance out spicy mexican food with jalapenos or Thai chile.
Crack a Doppelbock this “strong beer season” and enjoy both a holy beer and a trip trough history. Cheers!
