God and Beer

NPR’sWeekend Edition Sundayaired a fascinating radio discussion a while back on how some churches were creating unusual Christian communities around craft beer. And that got us thinking about beer and religion in general. Wine (and drugs to a lesser but irrefutable degree) have historically played a significant part in many spiritual communities throughout the ages – while beer is far less commonly associated with the religious world.

It’s not like religions and beer have no history (Trappist Ales anyone?) and Dustin Desoto writing for NPR online is suggesting that there are far more synergies than one might think. We wanted to reflect on his takes on “God and Beer” and chime in with our own damaged perspective as well.

So let’s get to the most obvious first…

Monks and Beer

Many think the Benedictine Monks began brewing beer in Europe around the 6^th century. Monks brewed for a number of reasons, according to Drunken History. To begin with, the water back then was largely unsanitary and dangerous to drink, and carefully brewed beer was in most cases a far safer alternative. For decades upon decades, cloistered monks refined their procedures and recipes and earned a reputation for brewing. They used the beer that they brewed not only to service their own religious community (monasteries were necessarily self-sustaining) but also to share with pilgrims that would pass by. Monks brewed ales to barter for other products they needed; they also used it to pay their taxes.

But beer also supported specific Christian liturgical rituals, such as Lent. Desoto writes:

As far back as the 18^th century, Paulaner monks in Germany would brew and drink a heavy, malty type of beer called Doppelbock for Lent. The Paulaner monks weren’t allowed to eat solid food for the duration of Lent, so the next best thing? Beer. The beer was so nutritious that it kept them nourished for the entire 40-day fast. The Paulaner Brewery in Munich still brews the Doppelbock beer today.

Beer Saints

The procedure that the church uses to name a saint, called canonization, has only operated since the 10^th century. Prior to that, saints were chosen by public acclaim (many after a fourth or fifth pint). And as one might imagine from a time when the medieval populace consumed more beer than water, the list is endless. We were surprised that Desoto overlooked Beer Sainthood entirely and thought we’d hone in on a few of the biggies:

King Gambrinus is revered by many brewers (and hopheads worldwide) as a patron saint. Gambrinus was King of Flanders. He is reputed to have invented hopped, malt beer and some members of ACB still pray to him daily.

Saint Amand is considered by some to be a patron saint of beer and wine merchants. He primarily operated in the regions now considered northern France and Belgium where he established a score of monasteries, many of which probably produced beer.

Another from Belgium, Saint Arnoldof Soissons is specifically considered the patron saint of hop pickers. Current day followers can be found working in parts of New Zealand as well as in Yakima Valley.

God and Guinness

The creator of Guinness Beer, Arthur Guinness was said to be a devout Christian. He grew up in a time when drunkenness (primarily from liquor) was commonplace and rampant. Desoto reports that Guinness saw brewing beer as a legitimate profession (after all, monks had been doing it for centuries), as well as a “less potent alternative to liquor,” and a place where he could take what he’d learned from his Christian theology and apply it to business.

Ancient Gods and Beer

We wouldn’t want to overlook one of the earliest deities to be associated with beer. Desoto reflects on the role of this famous Goddess:

Beer brewing is as ancient as the Sumerians, who had a goddess called Ninkasi with a recipe for beer. The recipe was pressed into a clay tablet that dates back to around 1800 BCE. It was called The Hymn to Ninkasi, and it gives hints on how to brew beer. Ninkasi made sure that the people of Sumer had fresh beer made daily.

(Hat tip to BeerHistory.com for their help in our beer saint selections)