Lent: Beer-Only Man Bets And Drinking Habits

Del Hall, a man from Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to give up all solid food and only drink beer for Lent. Hall, who works as the director of sales at Fifty West Brewing Company, was inspired by stories of monks who drank only beer for Lent in the 1600s. He wanted to see if it was possible to live on beer alone during the 46-day period. Hall's beer fast gained attention online, and he even reached out to Guinness World Records to set the record for the most days drinking only beer. While some might consider this a dangerous endeavour, Hall consulted with his doctor beforehand and limited himself to drinking only two to five beers a day. He also experienced several health benefits, including weight loss, lower blood pressure, and improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Del Hall's 46-day beer-only fast

Del Hall, a Cincinnati man, has taken on a unique challenge for Lent – a beer-only fast. Inspired by stories of monks who drank only beer during Lent in the 1600s, Hall decided to attempt the same feat. Starting on Ash Wednesday and lasting 46 days until Easter, Hall forgoes all solid food and sustains himself solely on beer. This liquid diet is not just an extreme form of fasting but also a way to pay homage to the ancient tradition of monks who considered doppelbock beer as "liquid bread".

Hall, an Army veteran and director of sales at Fifty West Brewing Company, first attempted the beer-only fast in 2019, losing 44 pounds in 46 days. He repeated the challenge in 2020, extending it to 50 days, and losing 50 pounds. During his fasts, Hall consumes three to five beers a day, ranging from breakfast stouts to sours, depending on his cravings. He emphasizes that he consulted a doctor before undertaking this endeavour to ensure his safety.

While some may question the health implications of such a fast, Hall asserts that he felt healthier than ever. He experienced reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure, and increased energy, claiming, "I felt like I was in my 20s again." He also broke his unhealthy relationship with food, stating, "If I reach for something really bad for me, I can pass it up because I didn't eat for 46 days; one meal's not going to kill me." Hall's fast not only improved his physical health but also served as a mental challenge, helping him develop discipline and integrity.

In addition to the health benefits, Hall has used his annual beer fast to raise money for various causes. In 2021, he started "SgtDel's Virtual Tip Jar," with all donations going directly to staff in the service industry. Through his unique endeavour, Hall has not only pushed his physical limits but has also found a way to contribute to his community.

Hall's 2020 Lent fast

Halls 2020 Lent fast

In 2020, Del Hall, a 44-year-old Army veteran and sales director of Fifty West Brewing Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to replicate his 2019 Lent fast, during which he consumed only beer and the occasional glass of water for 46 days. Hall's inspiration for the fast came from 17th-century monks who would brew a hearty doppelbock beer, which they called "liquid bread" and consumed as their sole source of nutrition during Lent.

Hall's 2019 fast garnered media attention and resulted in a weight loss of 44 pounds, improved blood pressure, and better blood sugar and cholesterol levels. He also reported feeling more energetic and experiencing less inflammation in his body.

For his 2020 Lent fast, Hall decided to extend the duration to 50 days, with the goal of setting a Guinness World Record for the longest beer-only fast. He planned to consume a variety of beers, including breakfast stouts and sours, to sustain himself during the fast. Hall acknowledged that his body fat percentage and his job at a brewery enabled him to undertake this extreme fast and did not recommend it for others.

To prepare for the fast, Hall consulted his doctor and conducted research on fasting and specialized diets. He also planned to be more active during the fast, taking inspiration from the health-conscious culture at Fifty West Brewing. Hall's primary motivation for the fast was the challenge of replicating the monks' tradition and testing his willpower.

During the fast, Hall consumed three to five beers per day and experienced strong cravings for solid food, especially in the first four days. He also had to cook for his 12-year-old daughter, Natalie, and go grocery shopping, which presented additional challenges. Despite the difficulties, Hall successfully completed his 2020 Lent fast, once again proving that a person can survive on beer alone for an extended period.

Hall's health improvements

Del Hall, a man from Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to drink only beer during Lent. He works as the director of sales at Fifty West Brewing Company. Inspired by stories of monks who drank only beer during Lent in the 1600s, Hall decided to attempt the same. He consulted a doctor before starting his fast to ensure his safety. During the fast, Hall consumed three to five beers per day, including breakfast stouts and sours. He did not consume any solid food and occasionally drank water.

Hall experienced several health improvements as a result of his beer-only diet during Lent. Here are some of the key health improvements he reported:

• Weight Loss: Hall lost 44 pounds during his 46-day beer fast. After the fast, he regained some weight but still maintained a net loss of 20 pounds.
• Improved Blood Work: In addition to weight loss, Hall's blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels improved.
• Reduced Inflammation: Hall reported feeling like he was in his 20s again, with reduced inflammation in his body. He experienced less pain in his ankles, knees, and back.
• Increased Energy: Hall claimed that he needed only five hours of sleep and felt more energetic.
• Improved Sleep: Hall reported that he only needed around five hours of sleep each night during the fast, indicating improved sleep quality.
• Better Mood: Although not explicitly stated, Hall's comments about feeling like he was in his 20s again and having increased energy suggest an improvement in his overall mood and well-being.

It is important to note that Hall had a higher body fat percentage and worked at a brewery, which he acknowledged as unique circumstances that allowed him to attempt this extreme diet. He does not recommend others follow his example without consulting a doctor first.

Monks' historical beer-only fasts

In the 17th century, monks of the Paulaner order relocated from Southern Italy to the Cloister Neudeck ob der Au in Bavaria. During Lent, this strict order required monks to refrain from consuming solid food. As a result, the monks turned to a common staple of the time in their region—beer. They brewed an "unusually strong" beer, full of carbohydrates and nutrients, to sustain them during their fast. This was an early doppelbock-style beer, which the monks eventually sold in the community. They gave it the name "Salvator," derived from "Sankt Vater," which roughly translates to "Holy Father beer."

The monks were proud of their brew but worried that it was too delicious to count as a Lenten sacrifice. Seeking guidance, they shipped a barrel of their doppelbock to the pope in Rome, who could determine if it was appropriate for Lent. In a twist of fate, the beer spoiled during the long journey. By the time it reached its destination, it tasted so terrible that the pope deemed consuming it a sacrifice in itself. With the pope's approval, the monks continued to brew and drink their doppelbock during Lent with clear consciences.

The Paulaner brewery, founded in Munich in 1634, still brews this doppelbock today. Known as Salvator, it is distributed and enjoyed worldwide, although many are unaware of its penitential origins. The monks' historical beer-only fast inspired a journalist named J. Wilson to recreate their fast in 2011. Wilson, a Christian editor for a county newspaper in Iowa, partnered with a local brewery to produce a doppelbock that he consumed exclusively during the 46 days of Lent and Holy Week. He had regular check-ups with his doctor and obtained permission from his employer to drink during work hours. Wilson described the experience as transformative, reporting that he felt increased focus and clarity during his fast.

Hall's post-fast weight gain

Del Hall, a man from Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to drink only beer during Lent, inspired by 17th-century monks who did the same. He works as the director of sales at Fifty West Brewing Company. Hall's fast lasted 46 days, during which he lost 44 pounds and experienced improved health, including lower blood pressure and reduced inflammation.

However, Hall eventually regained the weight he had lost. In preparation for Lent the following year, he planned to be more active and experiment with his diet. He aimed to replicate the previous year's results by losing weight, regaining some, and still ending the year with a net loss.

Hall's second beer-only fast during Lent in 2020 aimed to beat records. He extended the fast to 50 days to become the only person in the world to do the longest beer fast. Unfortunately, it is unclear how much weight Hall gained or lost during and after his second fast.

Overall, while Hall's initial beer-only fast during Lent resulted in weight loss, he eventually regained the weight. His subsequent fasts aimed to replicate this weight loss while also breaking records. However, there is a lack of information on the long-term weight changes following his second fast.

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