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Heart and Soul: The Church and beer

16/09/2022 GMT

The Church and beer

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, The Church and beer

Geoff Bird looks at the connections between beer and Christianity

Geoff Bird looks at the connections between beer and Christianity, with a visit to Grimbergen Abbey in Belgium, where brewing took place for centuries

The connections between beer and Christianity flow back down the centuries to the medieval monasteries where it was common practice for monks to brew their own beverages. Self-sufficiency was a core monastic principle, as indeed was the duty to offer pilgrims and visitors food and drink. The monks took the work very seriously, revolutionising brewing techniques with practices and principles that are still in use today.

Geoff Bird visits Grimbergen Abbey in Belgium, where brewing took place for centuries and has recently been re-introduced to great acclaim after a gap of two hundred years - the resulting beers are now widely available internationally.

Geoff also meets the pagan landlord who champions beer as the fruit of a bountiful earth - and sets out with the vicar who puts beer at the centre of his ministry, to find out why he regularly visits local pubs and bars to discuss matters of faith with customers over a pint or two of craft ale.

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