All Saints Einbecker Ale
When Martin Luther posted his “Ninety-five Theses” on the All Saints' Church door in Wittenberg on All Saints Eve, October 31st, 1517, no one expected the breadth of reforms in Christian teaching and practice that followed. In every dimension of Christian faith a renewed trust in God’s forgiving mercy replaced a reliance on teachings and practices that, like the sale of indulgences, were vulnerable to abuse and corruption. Preaching, Luther said, “I opposed indulgences... but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept [cf. Mark 4:26-29], or drank beer with my friends, the Word did everything.” Nearly 500 years later, the results of this evangelical confidence in God’s forgiving and liberating Word are evident today in Christian communities of all types.
When Martin Luther posted his “Ninety-five Theses” on the All Saints' Church door in Wittenberg on All Saints Eve, October 31st, 1517, no one expected the breadth of reforms in Christian teaching and practice that followed. In every dimension of Christian faith a renewed trust in God’s forgiving mercy replaced a reliance on teachings and practices that, like the sale of indulgences, were vulnerable to abuse and corruption. Preaching, Luther said, “I opposed indulgences... but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept [cf. Mark 4:26-29], or drank beer with my friends, the Word did everything.” Nearly 500 years later, the results of this evangelical confidence in God’s forgiving and liberating Word are evident today in Christian communities of all types.
If you do wish to drink a beer similar to the one Luther famously enjoyed, Castle Church's All Saints Einbecker Ale is probably the closest you will come. It incorporates the historical grain bill and methodology including several region specific top-fermenting strains of yeast, ferrulic mash rests, and fermentation techniques common to Luther's day. This care and focus on the traditional brewing practices at the start of the Reformation imbue complex flavors, attenuation, and a highly individual character; all in keeping with the beer that Luther loved to drink with friends and family.
In Honor of 500 years of Reformation...
Because he traveled, Luther had many styles of beer, but there is only one with claims to the effect that it was his favorite. Luther’s fondness for Einbecker Beer is well known, and he was often gifted casks while on the road, at celebrations, and even on the occasion of his wedding. Einbecker Beer was known as early as 1325 and is said to be the most famous beer of the Middle Ages, available everywhere in Germany and shipped as far as Jerusalem. It was described as "yellow in color and clear, thin, subtle, of bitter taste, has a pleasant acidity on the tongue, and many other good qualities." Einbecker beer eventually evolved into the Bock style that flourishes to this day — an extra strong beer, malty with a smooth hop finish. We can be sure, however, that the Einbecker beers enjoyed by Martin Luther tasted nothing like the Bock Beers of today. In Luther’s day, Einbecker was a top-fermented beer made with a large portion of wheat and fermented with multiple yeast strains, each vying to impart its own flavor to the beer. Plus, wild yeast from the air, all worked together to ferment every last bit of sugar. With today’s pure yeast cultures, only 75% or so of the sugars are consumed in fermentation, leaving some sweetness and body. And because today’s Bocks are bottom-fermented with a single yeast strain, they are far cleaner and simpler in taste. In spite of the evolution from Einbecker to Bock beer, the Luther identification has remained strong. In the 20th century, a brewery even used a portrait of Luther on the label when its Bock beer was first imported into the U.S.
Please enjoy our special edition brew, but remember to celebrate the Reformation anniversary in moderation:
"It is possible to tolerate a little elevation, when a man takes a drink or two too much. This must be called a frolic. But to sit day and night, pouring it in and pouring it out again, is piggish… all food is a matter of freedom, even a modest drink for one’s pleasure. If you are tired and downhearted, take a drink; but this does not mean being a pig and doing nothing but gorging and swilling… You should be moderate and sober; this means that we should not be drunken, though we may be exhilarated."
And so we have Martin Luther’s permission to enjoy a warm glow, especially with family and friends.
Please enjoy our special edition brew, but remember to celebrate the Reformation anniversary in moderation:
"It is possible to tolerate a little elevation, when a man takes a drink or two too much. This must be called a frolic. But to sit day and night, pouring it in and pouring it out again, is piggish… all food is a matter of freedom, even a modest drink for one’s pleasure. If you are tired and downhearted, take a drink; but this does not mean being a pig and doing nothing but gorging and swilling… You should be moderate and sober; this means that we should not be drunken, though we may be exhilarated."
And so we have Martin Luther’s permission to enjoy a warm glow, especially with family and friends.
