How monks perfected beer

And found salvation in the blessings of liquid bread.

Monks did not invent beer — they just made it much, much better. (Adobe stock photos)

In the history of beer brewing, monks have a special place in heaven. They found the perfect triangulation of spirituality, nutrition and self-sufficiency to create a product that many still think of as ‘divine.’

During a recent trip to Bavaria, my wife and I visited the Weltenburg Abbey, (Weltenburger Klosterbrauerei) the oldest monastic brewery in the world. They proudly stamp ‘1050’, the year of their founding, on all their bottles, cans and T-shirts. The oldest monastic brewery claim is disputed by another Bavarian monastery, Weihenstephan Abbey, who say they got going ten years earlier in 1040.

What can’t be argued is that monks revolutionized beer-making, and to this day beers monastic breweries produce are still among the finest in the world. I can attest to the heavenly, creamy texture of the Weltenburger Dunkel we sampled. It was nutty brown and earthy —yet still surprisingly refreshing.

Sipping from a tall stein in their beer garden overlooking the Danube, I wondered what drove monks to become such master brewers? With a little research I discovered some of the history behind this lasting gift to the world. By the way, if you travel to Northern Europe, you may want to spend a few hours exploring a monastic brewery.

You get to absorb history and beer at the same time. And maybe stay for lunch. All in one stop!

Raising a stein of Weltenburger Dunkel at the Weltenburger Abby in Bavaria

A match made in heaven?

Let’s travel back in time to about 600 AD. You are a monk, devoted to a life of monastic living, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of medieval temptations. You and your companions follow the Rules of St. Benedict. One of them states that to become a true monk you must “live by the work of your own hands.” You must also donate to the poor through the fruits of your labour and provide traveling pilgrims with food and drink.

Before long you realize that brewing beer will provide a means to live by St. Benedict’s rules. You consider this while you and your fellow monks down four litres of beer…