It’s not entirely clear why Nicholas was chosen as a patron saint of brewers. Tradition holds that he once stopped at an inn where the innkeeper had murdered three boys and hidden their bodies in a barrel of brine. The innkeeper served Nicholas salted meat with his beer, but during a time of local food shortages, Nicholas grew suspicious. Upon investigation, he discovered the bodies and miraculously restored the boys to life. While the story is chilling, it also ties Nicholas unmistakably to both beer and barrels.
St. Nicholas was also an ardent defender of the Faith. He attended the First Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, where one of the primary goals was to refute the Arian heresy. Legend says that at one point the debate grew so heated that an enraged Nicholas struck Arius across the face. Shocking as that may have been, it’s hard not to admire his conviction. One can’t help but wish for a few more bishops today with the backbone of St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas died on December 6, in either A.D. 345 or 352. Inspired by his feast day is Samichlaus Bier — an imposing 14% ABV doppelbock that was once billed as the strongest beer in the world. “Samichlaus” means “Santa Claus” in the Swiss-German dialect of Zürich. Brewed only once a year on December 6, the beer is aged for nearly a full year and released in time for the following year’s celebration. Originally brewed by Brauerei Hürlimann and later by Feldschlösschen, it is now produced by Schloss Eggenberg of Austria.
We toasted the Saint by pouring some 2008 vintage bottles of Samichlaus Bier on the eve of his feast day.
Happy St. Nicholas Day!
Cheers!
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