Lederhosen

I did go skiing this weekend, but I'm sure you are getting tired of reading about that, so I will skip that this week. I bought a pair of lederhosen today, complete with suspenders, a traditional Bavarian shirt, and shoes. You can get these at most stores here, but I went to an authentic store suggested by the locals. If you're going to do it, you might as well do it right, huh! The first time I'll wear it is coming up in a couple weeks at a festival called "Starkbierfest". I will have a post on this later, but thought I would at least let you know what it is.


I stole this from a website called bayerntrips.com: "Everyone has heard of Oktoberfest. Starkbierfest is almost unknown. It’s like its big cousin, but somehow better. Oompah music mixed with Oldies we all know. Hearty fare complements the beer and attempts to stave off the effects of the 8.1% alcohol beer. Thousands on their feet, dancing on benches, singing along to the music. And laughter, lots of laughter. This is an evening at Paulaner am Nockherherg, the prime location of Bavaria’s Starkbierfest. It all began with a monk named, Salvator. Required to refrain from food for 40 days in observance of Jesus’ time in the desert, Salvator found a loophole: Eating is denied, but drinking is allowed. Thus was born the Starkbier, the hefty bock. Yes, it is higher in alcohol, but the name derives from its being brewed with less water and, therefore, more grain. A liter, it is said, holds the equivalent of 16 loaves of bread!"

I stole this from a website called toytowngermany.com: "Starkbier is a strong beer which is consumed in Germany during Lent. The "strength" of the beer is not referring to the alcohol content, instead it describes the concentration of dissolved solids: the starch, sugars, proteins and minerals. The technical name for these solids is the "Wort". This being Germany, the supreme land of rules and regulations, you'll probably not be surprised to learn there are laws governing which beers may qualify as Starkbier. There are two types of Starkbier: Bockbier and Dopplebock. Bockbier must be at least 16% wort whilst Doppelbock must be at least 18%. The famous "Salvator" Starkbier brewed by Paulaner weighs in at 18.3% wort. It's a Doppelbock. This means that for every liter of Starkbier, if you boil away the water and alcohol you have 183 grammes of solids remaining. Or, in layman's terms, one Mass (liter) contains roughly the same amount of Stuff as 16 loaves of bread. Hence: liquid food. For the monks, fluid doesn't break fasting rules."

Now if this isn't stylish, I don't know what is!