Bottling the Holy Ghost
What happens when you have a Mass at the mash-tun?
Saints alive! A classic beer vaporises... and now thereâs a Samichlaus spirit.
The priest had a glint in his eye, and was warming to his theme: the role of St Nicholas as the patron saint of bakers, brewers and distillers.
My German does not stretch much beyond Maischpfanne, Lauterböttich or Sudhaus, but the priestâs expansive gestures made it clear that he saw the products of bakers, brewers and distillers as a significant slice (and pint and dram) of the good Lordâs benison.
Given the location, this was to be expected, but he nonetheless seemed more visibly committed to the works of St Nicholas than previous celebrants.
We were celebrating, at a Roman Catholic mass, the aforesaid gifts of God, but especially a range of products under the name Samichlaus (âSanta Clausâ in the local Zurich dialect of Swiss German).
Before becoming a saint, Nicholas had a day job as a bishop in what is now Turkey.
That was in the fourth century A.D. His generosity developed into voluntary work delivering gifts. Given its global reach, this must be very time consuming, but it begins on December 6 in some countries.
Somehow, Nicholas also manages to be the patron saint of prostitutes, apothecaries, coopers, and several other longestablished professions dedicated to the giving of relief, comfort and pleasure.
It was perhaps wise of St Nicholas to re-brand himself as Samichlaus before his diversification into the drinks industry, where he has been active in character merchandisi.....
To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue
or subscribe to Whisky Magazine to have every issue delivered direct to your door.
You can unlock and read this entire article with 1 of your community tokens by clicking here.
By Michael Jackson
Section : Musings with Michael Jackson
Page number : 11
