If there's two things we know about historical art, it's that babies in medieval paintings look like angry middle-aged men and that monks fucking love booze.
Trappist ales are a style of beer brewed by Trappist monks, mainly in Belgium. They tend to be very flavorful, complex and delicious. The name "Trappist" comes from the Trappist order of monks - the
The best craft beer, breweries, bars, brewpubs, beer stores, and restaurants serving serious beer.
A look at the surprising history of hot cocoa.
Monks created brewing as we know it, with the first large scale breweries in Europe and many advances to brewing techniques and technology. There were thousands of brewing monasteries, but then sud…
Updated & Edited 03/07/2014 The Trappist Decade The last few years have been very active ones for the Trappist breweries. Chimay celebrated its brewery’s 150 …
The Belgians take their beer seriously, and none more so than the Trappist monks. William Little makes a pilgrimage to the country's top monastic breweries.
The resident Buddhist monks at the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew complex encourage local authorities to deposit any used bottles at the temple which they then use to build new structures.
The hood does not make a monk. William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure Contemplating a National Geographic article from February 2009 on the mummies of priests and other religious persons in Sicil…
The organisers are expecting 5,000 visitors to attend
A handful of Belgian monks still make great beer the old-fashioned way.
Too Much, Edward von Grutzner Eduard von Grutzner, ca 1875, William Merritt Chase There are several different factors which make ...
Grimbergen Abbey brew incorporates methods found in 12th-century books
Kloster Andechs Brewery, also known as Klosterbrauerei Andechs, is a brewery in Germany's Bavarian region that is run by monks. This stop is one you will find both locals and tourists, come hungry as their biergarten serves traditional Bavarian style food to eat with your beer brewed right on
Since making my home in Denton, Texas – a place that is nearly as well known for it’s hipster bona fide as it’s much larger neighbor Austin – an annual retreat has almost become a necessity. My escape from this strangely connected yet pseudo rebellious ecosystem found the perfect expression in visiting monasteries in the backwoods of rural Oklahoma. Typically a sure fire way to enjoy a change of pace, the latest experience left me feeling an ironic sense of deja vu. At the conclusion of this
Michaelsberg Abbey, built in the 12th century on one of Bamberg's "Seven Hills" St. Michaelsberg Abbey is a former Benedictine abbey, founded in 1015. As the monks were the first to brew beer, the Franconia Brewery Museum is now established in the old brewery. (Wikipedia)
Kloster Andechs Brewery, also known as Klosterbrauerei Andechs, is a brewery in Germany's Bavarian region that is run by monks. This stop is one you will find both locals and tourists, come hungry as their biergarten serves traditional Bavarian style food to eat with your beer brewed right on
Artist : Ludwig Hohlwein (Germany 1874-1949). The Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu GmbH is a traditional brewery in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. n the year 1397 the Welser Prew was alluded to for the first time in Munich. The ownership changed often until the brewery moved in the year 1854 to the location it still uses today. The picture was slightly modernized, for example, corrected some wrinkles in his face smiling monk
The Strahov Monastery in Prague, Czech Republic, has created a popular new beer based on a historic recipe.
This past weekend Husband and I had planned for the second time to visit Berchtesgarten. But...for the second time, we changed our plans not feeling up to the near 3 hour drive. Instead we found ourselves in the teeny tiny town of Ettal, Germany. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, somewhere between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Linderhof Palace, you might pass through the town of Ettal without even realizing it. There is not even a stop light! Husband and I only noticed Ettal on last trip to Linderhof Palace after seeing a tour bus pull over. (Husband and I have a thing about following tour buses unintentionally and finding cool spots.) Curious as to why a tour bus pulled over in this bump in the road, Husband and I drove back to the Alps on Saturday to find out what it is Ettal, Germany had to offer. Which is exactly how we found Ettal Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery, founded in 1309. Another breathtaking baroque abbey in a serene setting, it was the perfect way to spend a quiet Saturday morning. We walked around and looked at the paintings and elaborate alters. There is something mind opening about seeing places of faith that existed long before Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Every time I am reminded that this life is much bigger than me. We spent time sight seeing on the monastery's grounds. The Ettal monastery is still in operation to this day. Guys, I had my head down coming out of the abbey and nearly took out a monk. Only me... Don't you just love this reflection bench? (on the right) On the property there is a pretty big garden with greenhouses, a school, housing, and in true monastery fashion...a brewery. Ettaler Kloster-Beer is brewed right here on sight. In fact, we are pretty sure we talked to the head brew master and monk in charge. They didn't seem to think it was a big deal that Husband and I were wondering around their loading dock. Husband was in Heaven! Right next door to the monastery, is a cheese maker and shop. What do you call making cheese anyways? This shop is called Schaukäserei Ammergauer Alpen. The cheese is sampled and sold on the top floor. Then all around the shop are glass windows looking down onto the ground level where the cheese is made. Out front you can see the milk holding tank and then of course, the milk source, the cows! Last week when I mentioned I wanted to start a Living Internationally series, Megan asked about buying cheese. Well... Megan here is the cheese! From the dairy cows outside in the fields, to the big vat of curdling milk, to wheels of cheese stored and aged. Ammergauer Alpen also sells fresh milk, butter, and yogurt. I bought a strawberry yogurt to eat on the spot. It was the creamiest yogurt I have ever tasted. We also bought a wedge of beer cheese and herbed cheese to take home! After a nice Bavarian lunch outside on a patio, Husband and I headed out of Ettal. We drove another 20 kilometers deeper into the foothills of the Alps until we ended up at the Weiskirche. This oval white church (hence the name!) is pretty well known among tourists. In between, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Füssen, I'm surprised Husband and I did not visit during our first Germany visit in 2010. Husband and I had a fun day getting out of the "city". It was nice to see some of the Bavarian countryside and enjoy a slower life pace. Driving through the Alps never gets old. Being outside with the traditional homes, rolling hills, and mountain backdrops relaxes me and I feel "refreshed". Rain in the distance. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Traditional Bavarian styled home. Does your family enjoy getting out and exploring new areas? Don't forget to enter the Back to School Giveaway! You can find all the details here. Make Saturday Drives Beautiful,
Travel guide to visit Chimay in Belgium. Places to visit, all about Chimay Beers, & Chimay Cheeses, the best time to visit, best hotels, restaurants.
Although spring had officially began, we found ourselves in the midst of winter scenery while visiting this tiny, cute town. On our way out of Garmisch, we stopped in a little town up the road called Ettal just to scope out the place. I knew that Linderhof Palace was close, so I put it on the unofficial itinerary before heading into Ettal. Honestly, there's not much to write home about (I don't blog about everywhere I have been, believe it or not). But I will say that this town is worth the mention simply because it's postcard adorable. First, we visited the highly regarded Ettal Abbey. I knew there was a brewery on site, but was bummed to find out it was only possible to visit with a guided tour, and they don't run often. Meaning, like, twice a week. Boo. We walked around the abbey, visited the basilica, and checked out the gift shop. It was a FIRST to have a legit monk in full robes {monk garb} ring up our gift shop beer purchase. He uttered "Bless You" in German upon handing me my receipt. We ended up only spending about 45 minutes at the abbey, but I wouldn't mind stopping by again if I return to the area. Only next time, I'll plan to be there on a brewery tour day! About 10 km down the same road sits another of crazy king Ludwig II's palaces. I have been to Schloss Neuschwanstein before {check my Oct 2014 archives}. There's something fascinating to me about Ludwig II's history, so of course I wanted to see Linderhof! Linderhof is tucked away on a forested hillside. I'll put it this way, if there wasn't a sign posted on the road telling folks where it was, no one would be the wiser that it was even there. We hopped out of the car and began to follow a few small groups of people on an unpaved trail. The area is very park like; trees, lakes, streams, tiny waterfalls. Though it was pretty scenery, I was anxious to see the dang palace. When we approached the palace, my husband turned to me and said "That's it? That's a little guy!" That's one way to describe Linderhof. As for me, I'd describe it as the runt brother of all palaces and castles in the land. I don't think the palace itself is what makes it special. Really, it's the setting. I've seen pictures of it many times before; usually captured in snowy winter or blooming spring/early summer. It looks gorgeous with vibrant flower gardens, and shady trees. But in the dead season and without snow, there's not much to "ooh and ahh" about. Something to consider should you plan a visit. We walked around it, snapped a few pictures, and promised to return possibly this summer. We'll see...I already have a summer travel schedule that would scare some folks... I chose not to go inside the palace simply because the grotto portion of the tour hadn't opened for the season. If I'm going to tour this tiny palace, I would like to see all of it; especially the grotto. We stopped for some brats and drinks on site, on the way out, and hit the road. Our two hour detour gave us more reason for wanting to return to the area. There's more to lower Bavaria than just Garmisch, Berchtesgaden, and Fussen! And the scenery of lower Bavaria is lovely. Even while on the autobahn. I added this one for my friends who have asked about Germany's solar panels. When you pass them, they look like bodies of water! Our next adventures will be in a neighboring country, and I am pretty darn excited!
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient brew house which was visited daily by monks of the former Bicester Priory in England. The holy men drank beer daily to kill off bacteria and would have drunk around 10 pints of beer each week.
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Kloster Andechs Brewery, also known as Klosterbrauerei Andechs, is a brewery in Germany's Bavarian region that is run by monks. This stop is one you will find both locals and tourists, come hungry as their biergarten serves traditional Bavarian style food to eat with your beer brewed right on
