Lent Guy's Beer Choice: What Was It?

Del Hall, an employee at Fifty West Brewing Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to give up all solid food and only drink beer during Lent. Inspired by monks in the 1600s who would fast during Lent and drink only bock-style beer, Hall drank between two and five beers per day. He lost 44 pounds during the 46-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday and saw improvements in his health, including lower blood pressure and blood sugar.

Del Hall's 46-day beer fast

Del Hall, a Cincinnati man, decided to go on a 46-day beer fast for Lent, consuming only beer and the occasional glass of water. Hall, an Army veteran and director of sales at Fifty West Brewing Company, was inspired by 17th-century Bavarian monks who were said to have sustained themselves on doppelbock beer, also known as "liquid bread", during their 46-day Lenten fasts.

Hall's beer-only diet began on Ash Wednesday and lasted until Easter Sunday. During this time, he drank between two to five beers per day, including breakfast stouts and sours, depending on his cravings. He did not eat any solid food, and his calorie intake came solely from the beer he consumed. Hall's fast garnered media attention and raised questions about the health implications of such a restrictive diet.

Despite the concerns, Hall reported feeling healthier and more energetic during his fast. He claimed that he felt like he was in his 20s again, despite being in his mid-40s. He also experienced lower blood pressure and reduced inflammation in his body. One of the biggest challenges Hall faced was being around food, as he worked in the beer industry and was constantly surrounded by food and drink at restaurants and events. However, he persevered and did not cheat during the 46-day period.

Hall's fast ended with a meal of guacamole, which he washed down with a beer. He lost a total of 44 pounds during the fast and planned to continue losing weight through intermittent fasting and portion control. Hall's unique dietary experiment brought him fame and inspired him to use his platform to raise money for local service industry workers through "SgtDel's Virtual Tip Jar".

Hall's health improvements

Del Hall, an employee at Fifty West Brewing Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to give up all solid food and only drink beer during Lent. Inspired by the fasting rituals of 17th-century Bavarian monks, Hall wanted to test if he was “up to the challenge".

Hall's beer fast is not without its risks, and he took precautions to ensure his safety. He consulted with his doctor, took a daily vitamin, and drank water in addition to beer. Despite these measures, he acknowledged that consuming only beer for several weeks can be challenging.

After completing his beer fast, Hall eased back into eating solid food. His first meal was guacamole, which he washed down with beer. He plans to continue losing weight through intermittent fasting and portion control, and he will continue to drink beer as part of his diet plan due to his job at a brewery.

Hall's beer fast provides an interesting insight into the potential health benefits of an extreme diet. However, it is important to note that his results may not be typical, and he does not recommend others attempt the same feat. Hall's unique situation, including his high body fat percentage and employment at a brewery, allowed him to successfully complete the fast and experience health improvements.

Monks' historical beer fasts

The practice of drinking beer during Lent can be traced back to monks in the 1600s or 1700s in Bavaria, Germany. These monks, who were also master brewers, would fast during Lent and consume only a specific style of beer known as bock beer or doppelbock. They would make this beer extra hearty, referring to it as "liquid bread", which would sustain them throughout the 46 days of Lent.

Inspired by these historical accounts, Del Hall, an employee of Fifty West Brewing Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to follow in the monks' footsteps. In 2019, Hall embarked on a beer-only fast during the 46-day Lenten season, consuming only beer and occasional water. He documented his journey on social media, sharing his weight loss progress and the challenges he faced. Hall successfully completed his fast, losing 44 pounds in the process and improving his overall health, including lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

Hall's beer-only diet during Lent sparked intrigue and controversy, with some questioning the safety and effectiveness of such a restrictive diet. However, Hall consulted with a doctor and took vitamins to ensure his well-being during the fast. He also acknowledged that his higher body fat percentage and his job at a brewery made it possible for him to undertake this unique challenge.

In 2020, Hall decided to take his beer fast a step further by extending it beyond the standard 46 days of Lent. He aimed to set a world record for the longest beer fast, targeting 50 days. Hall's dedication to this challenge and the improvements he experienced sparked interest from others, and he gained a significant amount of media exposure.

While Hall's beer-only fast during Lent may seem extreme, it is a testament to the historical practices of monks in the 17th or 18th century who relied solely on doppelbock beer to sustain them during their Lenten fasts. Hall's experience highlights the potential benefits and challenges of such a restrictive diet and serves as a unique experiment in the modern era.

J. Wilson's beer-only fast

In 2011, homebrewer and author J. Wilson embarked on a beer-only fast for the 46-day duration of Lent. Inspired by the fasting rituals of monks in the 1600s, Wilson consumed only beer and water. He lost 25.5 pounds during his fast, but he claimed that the experience gave him so much more than just weight loss.

Wilson wrote about his experience:

> "The experience proved that the origin story of monks fasting on doppelbock was not only possible but probable. It left me with the realization that the monks must have been keenly aware of their own humanity and imperfections."

Wilson's fast was not just about giving up solid food for Lent, but also about challenging himself and replicating the monks' fasting rituals. He was curious to see if he was "up to the challenge" and wanted to prove that it was possible to fast on beer alone.

While Wilson's beer-only fast was a unique and challenging experience, it is important to note that he was aware of the potential dangers of subsisting on beer for an extended period. He took precautions by taking a daily vitamin and checking in with a doctor.

Overall, Wilson's beer-only fast was a successful and enlightening experience that allowed him to connect with the monks' ancient rituals and gain a deeper understanding of their humanity.

Hall's 2020 repeat fast

In 2020, Del Hall, a man from Cincinnati, Ohio, repeated his liquid diet of only drinking beer during Lent. Hall, who works at Fifty West Brewing Company, was inspired by 17th-century German monks who would fast during Lent and consume only bock-style beer, also known as "liquid bread".

Hall first attempted this unique fast in 2019, during the 46-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. He lost 44 pounds during this time and experienced improvements in his overall health, including lower blood pressure and blood sugar, and reduced cholesterol.

For his 2020 repeat, Hall aimed to extend his beer fast beyond the typical 46 days of Lent. He wanted to achieve the longest beer fast in history, so he decided to fast for 50 days. Hall planned to consume between two and five beers per day, just as he did in 2019. He was aware of the potential dangers of subsisting solely on beer and intended to take a vitamin daily and consult a doctor.

Hall's 2019 beer fast garnered viral attention on social media, and he documented his progress and weight loss on platforms like Twitter. He also shared his experiences in interviews, expressing his curiosity about whether he could complete the challenge and his satisfaction with the results.

Hall's motivation for repeating the fast in 2020 was not primarily about weight loss, but rather the challenge of surpassing his previous record and achieving the longest beer fast. He also wanted to maximise his results during the extended fast, with a focus on weight loss.

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