THIS is how a guy should fast during lent. I found this story at New Advent.
An American blogger has pledged to live only off beer during Lent.
Following the ancient tradition of Bavarian monks who brewed stronger beer during the Lenten fast in order to subsist on an almost entirely liquid diet, J Wilson will spend the 46 days of the Lenten period drinking only beer. The young man, who writes about beer on the internet and claims never to have done a Lenten fast in his life, will drink bockbier, which was originally brewed by the Paulaner monks in Munich.
The beer is a strong, dark, malty lager and is known as liquid bread. Traditionally, it was brewed by the monks for the periods of fasting in Lent and Advent. Mr Wilson has brewed his own bock-bier for the project.
He wrote: “I have a genuine love for beer, and am very drawn to the rich history it carries. Forty-six days is a long time without food. But if the the Paulaner brothers could do it under the guidance of God, I should be able to as well. A spiritual journey of this nature is no laughing matter, and I very much look forward to sharing it with you.”
I have given up beer for Lent, but it never occurred to me that I could reverse it and subsist on beer alone. As they say in the commercial…
I salute you, convincing everyone that your ridiculous bender is really an act of piety and penance guy, man of real genius.
Next year I will subsist, as did the great Keebler monks of yore, solely on Vienna Fingers.
March 11, 2011 at 5:21 am
I always thought it was pretty cool, myself.
March 11, 2011 at 5:28 am
Sounds like something Homer Simpson would do… Bravo!
March 11, 2011 at 7:35 am
I've thought about doing this before – subsisting on Shiner Bock for Lent. Can't justify the expense.
March 11, 2011 at 10:38 am
If it's a 'beer fast' what's with the doughnut?
March 11, 2011 at 2:11 pm
The pretzel indeed has its origins as an official food of Lent. …a young monk in the early 600s in Italy was preparing a special Lenten bread of water, flour and salt. To remind his brother monks that Lent was a time of prayer, he rolled the bread dough in strips and then shaped each strip in the form of crossed arms, mimicking the then popular prayer position of folding one’s arms over each other on the chest. … Beer & pretzel works for me.
March 11, 2011 at 2:30 pm
is this a serious religious site or a Bill Maher knock-off?
March 11, 2011 at 2:50 pm
That is a pretty radical diet change. Probably dangerous to some extent. He should do before and after photos.
March 11, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Diary of a Part-Time Monk. ^.^
March 11, 2011 at 2:51 pm
This is day 4 of my giving up a glass or two of Stag's Leap. This won't be easy.
March 11, 2011 at 4:11 pm
My sister lived on nothing but beer and peanut M&Ms the last 2 weeks of college, senior year. She doesn't remember much.
This guy says he's drinking a Paulaner bock which was drank by the monks during Lent in the Baroque-ish period. I think he means Paulaner Salvator Dopplebock – that's 12% alcohol! Back when I was a drinker, that was a favorite, but a couple of steins of those and I'd be in bad shape.
I don't think he'll make it.
March 11, 2011 at 4:19 pm
I think he's going to be flat on his face by the second week of Lent. At least add some bread.
March 11, 2011 at 5:09 pm
I love vienna fingers. Yum.
March 11, 2011 at 5:31 pm
I hope he isn't planning on getting behind the wheel of any type of motor vehicle. I think the DMV would not accept a Lenten fast as an excuse for DUI.
March 11, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Yum is right. I am a third order Keeblerite. I will be buried in a jingle bell hat and slippers with curlicues. In a tree.
March 11, 2011 at 7:22 pm
blackrep
Too funny!