I just received an email from a brewery, I shall not name, that Summer Beers are out and We’re ready for Summer. It’s March 19! The jump on seasonal beers seems to be in strict competition with stores decorating for Christmas in September. I want to enjoy my Spring beer styles first, like Starkbiers, before the marketing of summer beer begins. After all Starkbiers have such a wonderful history and shouldn’t be over looked.

Monks originally started brewing Starkbier to help them through Lent since the monks couldn’t consume any food but could drink. So they brewed a beer that was packed with nutrients and calories. Starkbier translated is strong beer and known as Doppelbock. I would love to see more breweries brewing this style. In 1629 Paulaner monks brewed the first batch – Salvator. Just so happens one of this Gal’s #beercats is named after Paulaner Salvator.

The citizens of Munich heard of this amazing beer but because of laws could not partake. These laws were changed so the monks could share the beer with the people of Munich and thus this was the start of drinking Starkbier during Lent. Germany being Germany created a whole festival around this beer and Starbier Fest was born. Of course, in modern times they now eat during Lent but the tradition of brewing & celebrating Starkbier lives on.

This Gal had the pleasure of traveling to Germany during Starkbier Fest many moons ago. It was an amazing trip which one day I’ll write about. I was drinking Starkbier all over Munich and to this day it’s one of my fav beers and truly my favorite beer season. So I don’t want to see it glossed over. I mean who doesn’t love a German Beer Hall packed to the rafters with folks swinging their liters of beer while singing Joan Jett’s I Love Rock N’ Roll?! If you can picture that then you have a good idea how much fun Starkbier Fest is.

I really didn’t plan on writing about Starkbier or the Fest and I feel enjoy what you want when you want. You want a pumpkin beer in July go for it. I just don’t want to hear how the Fall pumpkin season is here when it’s July 10 or how it’s Summer Beer Season on March 19.

Cheers,
G.B.G.