The last weekend of March we headed to Munich for Starkbierfest with the Lesters. The rules for Lent back in the day stated that only bread and water could be consumed, and of course for the Germans, this included beer. They decided they needed a beer with more sustenance to get them through the long days of Lent, so they invented starkbier or “strong beer”. The Paulaner monks called their starkbier Salvator or “Savior” and made it with 7.8% alcohol.
The first night in Munich we joined a group of Germans and Australians and did the “Munich Beer Challenge”. A German tour guide took us around Munich to 4 different breweries and told us the history of “Beervaria”.
The next day we explored Munich, went to the Virktualmarkt, and did some shopping. After that it was time to head to Nockerberg where Starkbierfest is. One last time for us to wear our Liederhosen (leather pants) and dirndls. Starkbierfest is basicaly Oktoberfest with stronger beer, and the beer is served in steins instead of glass mugs. We drank some beer, ate some pretzels and brats, sang along with the music and made some new friends.
