Weissenoher Bonator Doppelbock 500ml

Since the Benedictine monks indulged in the stronger bock beers during the austere season of Lent, this aroused the envy of other religious orders, who complained to the Pope in Rome: the Benedictines were not fasting with their bock beers, but feasting! In response to this complaint, the Benedictines sent a barrel of bock beer to Rome so that the Pope himself could taste it and decide. Knowing their beer and its shelf life during the weeks and months-long journeys from Bavaria to Rome in the Middle Ages, they did this with a specific purpose. As expected, the beer arrived in Rome spoiled, unbearably sour. After a cautious taste, the Pope declared: "Whoever drinks such a dreadful beer is a true penitent." The Benedictines gladly continued this penance and fasted with (fresh) bock beer.

Of course, beer wasn't drunk solely for its alcohol content. Beer contains many minerals and vitamins, as well as sugar in a readily digestible form. Monks were very knowledgeable about health and medicine and knew that beer prevented deficiencies. Thus, beer consumed during fasting was one of the first dietary supplements (as we would call them today) in the human diet.