Ash Wednesday Beer: Is It Allowed?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian church. It is observed with a service where the faithful are marked with ashes, and many adults fast or abstain from eating meat. While there are no restrictions on beverages, some consider drinking alcohol contrary to the spirit of the day.

There are no limits on most beverages on Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season in the Christian church. Many adults who observe Ash Wednesday fast or at least abstain from eating meat. However, there are no restrictions on most beverages. While some may choose to abstain from alcohol on Ash Wednesday, there is no formal rule against drinking beer, wine, or spirits.

Historically, Catholics did not abstain from alcohol during Lent. In fact, a special beer called doppelbock was invented to provide extra nutrients and vitamins during Lent. Even today, there is a German “Fastenbier” or “Lentbeer” that has been brewed since the 15th century.

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the fasting requirements are for those ages 18-59, while abstinence from meat starts at age 14. However, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions are exempt from fasting on Ash Wednesday and during Lent.

Liquids are allowed at any time on Ash Wednesday

While liquids are allowed, the spirit of the day encourages moderate hunger as a form of spiritual discipline. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain your regular liquid consumption and lower the amount of food you eat.

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions are exempt from fasting on Ash Wednesday and during Lent.

Alcoholic drinks are not prohibited under the law of fasting

The law of fasting for Catholics on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday allows only one full meal a day but does not prohibit consuming some food in the morning and evening. This law does not include beverages, and Catholics are allowed to drink liquids at any time during the fast.

Historically, drinking alcohol was often safer than drinking water, as a little wine added to water kills water-borne pathogens. Beer with a low alcohol content, or "small beer," also contained just enough alcohol to kill germs but not enough to impair one's work skills. Alcohol, especially beer, was also used to compensate for fasting, with monks inventing special beers to provide extra nutrients and vitamins during Lent.

While alcoholic drinks are not prohibited under the law of fasting, some may consider drinking them contrary to the spirit of the day.

Drinking beer on Ash Wednesday is not in the spirit of doing penance

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Christian church. It is observed with a service where the faithful are marked with ashes, and many adults fast or at least abstain from eating meat. According to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the fasting requirements are for those aged 18-59, while abstinence from meat starts at age 14.

While there are no limits on most beverages on Ash Wednesday, and alcoholic drinks would not violate the fast, drinking beer on this day is not in the spirit of doing penance. As Ash Wednesday is a day of penitence, and Lent a time of penitential character, drinking beer would not be in keeping with the spirit of the day.

St. Thomas Aquinas writes that it is possible to lose the merit of fasting by partaking of too much drink. Consuming a liquid meal would also not be in the spirit of the fast. While a glass of wine during the main meal is permitted, enjoying an alcoholic drink outside of a meal would not be in keeping with the spirit of penance on Ash Wednesday.

Therefore, while it may be permissible to drink beer on Ash Wednesday, it is not in the spirit of doing penance, which is the purpose of the day.

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions are exempt from fasting

For Roman Catholics, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that starts on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It is a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter.

On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent, Catholics who are 14 years old and above must abstain from consuming meat. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 must fast, unless they are exempt due to health reasons.

The Episcopal Conferences have the authority to determine local norms for fasting and abstinence and their substitution with other forms of penance in their territories. In some countries, the Bishops' Conferences have obtained permission to replace abstinence from meat on Fridays with pious or charitable acts, except on Good Friday.

While fasting is an important spiritual discipline, it should not be undertaken if it poses a risk to one's health. Those who are exempt from fasting are still encouraged to participate in other forms of penance and spiritual disciplines during Lent, such as prayer, reading Scripture, and works of mercy.

Frequently asked questions