Beer, Religion, and a Hangover

Today, I woke up five times wanting to puke. Today, I swore of alcohol twenty times. Today, I asked God to help me get through this hang over seventy times. Today of course was St. Patty's Day Ante. A day in which a good 1/4 of the adult population was nursing hangovers, waking up drunk, or just feeling like beer is worse then Putin and Ukraine in the same room. So in celebration of this hangover, I will dedicate it to the amazing things Catholics have done in the world of beer.

I want to start by saying I do not endorse any religion above another (though The Flying Spaghetti Monster is pretty dope) and in reality I wish religions would unite humanity, rather then divide it. But Beer is as European and Catholicism is, so there is much overlap. You all remember my earlier blog on Belgians, Trappist, and the amazing-ness that it is. But the overlap is more then that. First, lets look at the season we are in, which is Lent. Lent officially begins on Ash Wednesday in which all adults (who are healthy and not in the military) must fast, give up meat (on Fridays), and give alms. In order to prepare for the 40+ days of fasting, Tuesday was a day of feast. People ate like there was no tomorrow, hence Fat Tuesday (or in America...just Tuesday.) Fat Tuesday, better known as Mardi Gras, or even Carnival. 

Somehow this is Catholic...

Yes, Mardi Gras and Carnival are Catholic celebrations, um, began as Catholic. Americans, Brazilians, and the German's all have celebrations before the Lenten season begins. Funny thing, those Germans. I don't know if you know this, they love their beer (hell The Girl Friend is drinking one right now and she's full German). They will literally celebrate anything just so they can get drunk! To name a few drinking holidays we have: Fasching (German Carnival), St. Martin's Day, and how can we forget Oktoberfest. Yes, technically it's not a Religious holiday. But take a look at this website and see what I mean.

This is a Catholic Mass...err, lot's of people drinking.

Finally, a little known fact is that the Running of the Bulls is part of a major Catholic Holiday. San Fermin, honors St. Fermin, who is the co-patron of Navarre. Needless to say, you have to be pretty drunk to run with the Bulls. 

So, if you're drinking with a lot of people most likely you can thank the Catholics (except you know, Super Bowl Sunday, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July,  Cinco de Mayo, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day...)

It's also why I do bad things at night, you know, when God is asleep.

But here is a list of other holidays that started with Catholic Undertones:
New Years Eve, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, St. Valentine's Day (you know...if you're single)

Slainte!

Next Blog, one of the Great Trio will be writting!

DC Beer Fest

As I write this article, my body can't help but remind me that yes I am hung over. Not just hung over, but that leg sore, stenographer in my head, liver hurting kind of hang over. The one that by the end of the day you have come to think you're finally done being hung over, only to find out your body has given up on feeling 100%. Was it worth it? Well, the amount my liver has degenerated over the day, the fights with The Girlfriend, and a very empty wallet later there is only one answer. Hell yes!

Before I proceed I must confess my post days are all lies. I didn't want to make my blog public until I had enough material for people to get drawn in. So today is my very first post that is true to it's time. As punishment, I will drink 24 Miller Lites before I sleep tonight.

So why am I hung over. Two words: D.C. Craft Beer Fest. (Yeah, it's four words I'm hungover, get over it!) 73 craft brewers and Sam Adams were in attendance (Sam Adams' is NOT craft.)

All the Vendors Are Belong To Us!

I mentioned that there were 74 breweries, but I did a B-line right to one brewery. As a VIP I was able to get in an hour early so I figured I would shoot the shit and talk, but when I found out Founder's was there I knew I had to talk to them, and drink of course. As soon I walked into the door, I left my girlfriend and two friends, and was the first at there booth. I asked "When are you guys coming to Maryland, I need some KBS, I drove 90 minutes once only to be turned away." The guys laughed, but were excited that a fan was that dedicated. They told me the great news though. May at the latest! Again, Founders is coming to Baltimore!

This is the first session, even before it was completely packed. 

After drinking some Founders, I found The Girlfriend and we hit a good 30 or 40 breweries. Some were amazing, some werre horrible, but most were just so-so. What was disappointing was the fact (she even mentioned it) was the massive amount of IPA's. I would bet 90% of the breweries had an IPA, a Extra Pale Ale, or Imperial Pale Ale. To put it mildly, I can not wait for the IPA fad to die a very fast, painful death. Don't get me wrong, there are some damn good IPA's. I love Harpoon's, and 60 and 90 Minute are amazing. But, I feel like many other beer styles don't get their due. Alas, I feel like Sours and Saisons will be the next big thing (crosses fingers.)

My favorite libation of the day happens not to be beer but mead, well two meads. The best brewery (minus Founders) goes to B. Nektar Meadery for their Necromangocon and Zombie Killer. Both are amazing, and all I can say is they make great dessert drinks that are flawless made. Necro is flavored with Mango, and is offset amazingly with some pepper. I give it 5 stars. Zombie Killer gives Cherry new life, and can only be described as the best possible drink during the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse.

Oh, oh yeah, I forgot we went bar hopping afterwards and I found some amazing beer!

Founders, It's what's for Breakfast!

Hope You Beer-ventures are going well! We'll be having a guest writer soon.

Slainte!