February 2008
Starkbierzeit
Maximator, Unimator, Animator, Triumphator, Aviator—sounds like a gang of superheroes! Far from references to costumed crimefighters, however, those are the illustrious epithets for a special kind of beer soon to hit the beer halls of Munich. When the “Foolish Season” has ended, another festival awaits indefatigable party-goers:
Starkbierzeit. Throughout March Munich’s breweries will serve
Starkbier (strong beer), an extra-heavy brew that not only contains slightly more alcohol than other beers, but also exhibits a higher concentration of
dissolved solids because less water is added during the brewing process. This special kind of stout is an 18th century invention of ingenious Pauline monks, who created the nutritious beverage to sustain them during the Lenten liquid fast. The prototype for all Munich strong beers is Salvator by the Paulaner brewery. All other breweries that produce beer of the same concentration have followed suit by adding “ator” as the final syllable of their brews.
Along with an Oktoberfest-style keg tapping on February 22, Paulaner at Nockherberg also features an annual highlight of political satire: the
Politiker Derblecken. Derblecken is a Bavarian word for critically mirroring people of public interest. In the presence of Bavarian and German political elite, a performer will mock the latest government mistakes and absurdities. Sometimes the “honored” guests find a gulp or four of Starkbier necessary to swallow the traditionally harsh satires. Please note that the period of time when this special beverage is served varies at each brewery. Munich’s most popular places for Starkbier are Löwenbräukeller at Stigl-
maierplatz, Unionsbräu at Einstein-
str. 42, Augustinerkeller at Arnulfstr. 52 and Paulaner at Hochstr. 77. <<<
