We are kicking off our Lenten fish fry season in a big, boozy way, with our first ever Starkbierfest, commemorating the re-release of our beloved Doppelbock, Goldenator, the release of our Fastenbier, and the release of our first ever Eisbock!
Starkbierfests in Germany are celebrations around the release of Doppelbock in Bavaria. These festivals began as a religious celebration celebrated by a single order of Monks, the Paulaner Friars — yes, the very ones whose monastic brewery ultimately became the brewery that we know as “Paulaner.” Contrary to popular belief, the origin of their famed Doppelbock “Salvator” was not associated with the Lenten fasting obligations of these Bavarian monks (although “fastenbier,” as a style originated for that purpose), but instead was brewed as a celebratory beer for the Feast of Saint Francis, which historically was celebrated on April 2 of every year, which only occasionally feel during lent. The beer was called “Sankt Vaters Bier” (“Beer of the Sacred Father”). In time, the Feast was moved by the Church into early March, the beer became known as “Salvator,” and the festival, which became known as “Starkbierfest” (strong beer festival), became a secular “volksfest” (people’s festival) as opposed to a religious one, all some two hundred years before the advent of Germany’s most popular volksfests, Oktoberfest!
This year, we timed the re-release of our Doppelbock “Goldenator” to coincide with the first weekend of our Lenten fish fries (an appropriately Pittsburgh day of feasting by anyone’s standard). And, to add even more power to the event, we’re releasing two other beers. First, we are thrilled to bring back our Fastenbier, a smoked red lager made in the traditional Franconian style. But, for those who REALLY love doppelbock and big boozy beers, we have an even bigger surprise for you: the release of our first ever Eisbock.
That’s right! We took a couple of kegs of Goldenator, froze them, removed the ice, and kept the rest. What does that mean? It means that a pour of 14% abv, highly distilled rauch doppelbock is in your future, big guy.
Last, but by no means least. Every Friday of Lent, we’ll be tapping another guest Doppelbock from a host of other great producers.
Prost!