The Lost Art of Catholic Drinking

Inside Catholic ^ | November 26, 2009 | Sean P. Dailey

[NYer]

There is Protestant drinking and there is Catholic drinking, and the difference is more than mere quantity. I have no scientific data to back up my claims, nor have I completed any formal studies. But I have done a good bit of, shall we say, informal study, which for a hypothesis like this is probably the best kind.

To begin with, what is Catholic drinking? It's hard to pin down, but here's a historical example. St. Arnold (580-640), also known as St. Arnulf of Metz, was a seventh-century bishop of Metz, in what later became France. Much beloved by the people, St. Arnold is said to have preached against drinking water, which in those days could be extremely dangerous owing to unsanitary sewage systems -- or no sewage system at all. At the same time, he frequently touted the benefits of beer and is credited with having once said, "From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world."

 

Wise words, and St. Arnold's flock took them to heart. After his death, the good bishop was buried at a monastery near Remiremont, France, where he had retired. However, his flock missed him and wanted him back, so in 641, having gotten approval to exhume St. Arnold's remains, they carried him in procession back to Metz for reburial in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles. Along the way, it being a hot day, they got thirsty and stopped at an inn for some beer. Unfortunately, the inn had just enough left for a single mug; the processionals would have to share. As the tale goes, the mug did not run dry until all the people had drunk their fill.

 

Now, I'm not saying that Catholic drinking involves miracles, or that a miracle should occur every time people get together to imbibe. But good beer -- and good wine for that matter -- is a small miracle in itself, being a gift from God to His creatures, whom He loves. And as G. K. Chesterton wrote in Orthodoxy, "We should thank God for beer and burgundy by not drinking too much of them." In other words, we show our gratitude to God for wine and beer by enjoying these things, in good cheer and warm company, but not enjoying them to excess.

 

Just what constitutes excess is for each person to judge for himself. However, we now approach the main difference between Catholic drinking and Protestant drinking. Protestant drinking tends to occur at one extreme or another: either way too much or none at all, with each being a reaction to the other. Some people, rightly fed up with the smug self-righteousness of teetotalers, drink to excess. And teetotalers, rightly appalled at the habits of habitual drunkards, practice strict abstinence. It seems to occur to neither side that their reaction is just that: a reaction, and not a solution. If they considered it a bit, they might see a third way that involves neither drunkenness nor abstinence, yet is consistent with healthy, honest, humane Christian living.

 

Here we encounter Catholic drinking. Catholic drinking is that third way, the way to engage in an ancient activity enjoyed by everyone from peasants to emperors to Jesus Himself. And again, it is not just about quantity. In fact, I think the chief element is conviviality. When friends get together for a drink, it may be to celebrate, or it may be to mourn. But it should always be to enjoy one another's company. (Yes, there is a time and place for a solitary beer, but that is the exception.)

 

For example: The lectures at the annual Chesterton conference are themselves no more important than the attendees later discussing those same lectures over beer and wine (we tend to adhere to Hilaire Belloc's rule of thumb, which is to avoid alcoholic beverages developed after the Reformation). These gatherings occur between talks, during talks -- indeed, long into the night -- and we typically fall into bed pleasantly stewed. I cannot imagine a Chesterton conference without this. And yet I also know how detrimental it would be if we all stumbled back to our rooms roaring drunk.

 

Avoid each extreme -- that's how you drink like a Catholic. This is the art of Catholic drinking. There are plenty of our brethren who consider drinking somehow immoral, and there are plenty of others who think drinking must end with great intoxication. But the balanced approach -- the Catholic approach -- means having a good time, a good laugh, sometime a good cry, but always with joy and gratitude for God's generosity in giving us such wonders as beer and burgundy. Remember that, and the lost art of Catholic drinking may not remain lost.

[vladimir998]

One of the things I loved about Italy was the cheap (BUT WONDERFUL!) chianti for less than $4 a bottle.

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

“I’m living in fear these days that she’s soon going to be waking me in the middle of the night for matins.”

If that is your worst complaint about your wife, then you are truly blessed! :)

[Spartan79]

Amen.

[cubreporter]

Heh, heh...:) :) :)

[Lee N. Field]

Unfortunately, the inn had just enough left for a single mug; the processionals would have to share.

I sense an approaching miracle tale.

As the tale goes, the mug did not run dry until all the people had drunk their fill.

Oh, yes indeedy.

Protestant drinking

[annalex]

It is also one of the things I loved about my local Safeway, till they ran out.

And before that, they ran out of this:

sangiovese terre di chieti

They disappear. People find out about them and drink it all up.

[ReignOfError]

When I had a DC internship, I stayed at a Catholic University dorm and spent a lot of weekend nights in Georgetown. What I learned in both places is not to try to keep up with a Jesuit.

[B-Chan]

Catholic, monarchist, and currently enjoying a smooth Jameson.

[af_vet_1981]

When I think of Catholic drinking, I think of hereditary or behavioral alchoholism. Your results may vary.

[Natural Law]

"As a Catholic in a very Catholic city where every Catholic Church basement or hall has a bar complete with tappers that say “Budweiser”, “Bud Light”, “Michelob” and now “Bud Select” I’ve always wondered what the big deal about drinking is. "

Its in honor of St. Budweiser who turned beer into water.

[Desdemona]

Its in honor of St. Budweiser who turned beer into water.

Or thanks to the employees of a gigantic brewery who could get beer tappers cheap. Lemp, Griesedieck and Falstaff have all gone out of business.

[mnehring]

Bump that, pretty much the same story for us Anglicans.

[Desdemona]

currently enjoying a smooth Jameson

Cheers! Although, mine's doctored into a hot whiskey as I'm on day 3 of a nasty head cold.

[wardaddy]

not near as lost as the art of Church of Christ drinking

[Revolting cat!]

Its in honor of St. Budweiser who turned beer into water.

Yes, but it's beechwood aged holy water!

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

How about the lost art of not drinking alcoholic beverages?

Leviticus 10:9 "Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you may not die-- it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations--
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

[B-Chan]

May God offer you comfort and speedy good health.

[xenob]

Wife did RCIA to become Catholic. It was funny, if they ran out of wine at the meeting, it was a panic and they sent out someone for more. (no water into wine I guess)

Wine or not, still one of the most rewarding things she said she ever did in her life.

[ichabod1]

I was taught to drink in that manner, but it went badly, and I had to quit, 8.5 years ago.

[ichabod1]

It’s kind of the English way too, don’t you think? It’s the Public House approach. You don’t think of it as being a situation where people get drunk and break pool sticks over each others heads. You wouldn’t do that in church! Or if Father’s at the bar.