Washington sentinel., 1901-04-27
The Rock Beer.

term "bOck' beer originated anu the
meaning OF the same. The records of
the city Of Munich, Bavaria, contain the
following explanation Of the subject:
The Duke Christoph and his brother,
Aibrecht H., were one day sitting in
the banquet hall OF their castle. In
their company was a Brunswick knight,
and the three whiled the time away
drinking and narrating tales OF adven-
ture. In honor of their visitor the Duke
ordered brought forth a huge vessel
containing the finest old beer from the
cellars of the Munich court brewery.
The knight took deep draught of the
beer and then, replacing the bumper on
the table, sluringlY remarked: "Bahl
That stuff is no better that brown vine
gsrl"
At this the two noblemen became
highly enraged and ordered the brew
master to come before them forthwith.
They berated him fiercely for having set
before them beer, which he considered
bis best, but which was held to be so
inferior by the knight from Brunswick
The reupon the brewmaster, in mingled
tones of humiliation and rage, turned
toward the knight, and cried out IN a
loud voice: "lf, at the expiration OF one
year rom this day you W. cgain come
to Munich and bring along keg your
beer l will produce beer that in point
of quality will surely surpass yours
Should fail in this your Grace may
ride me out of the city seated backward
upon an ass, confiscate all my property
and proclaim me the worst brewmaster
IN the realm" Hearing this the Bruins
wicker laughed loud and long, and
readily acquiesced to appear at the time
mentioned, and, as an indication OF his
good faith, he deposited a forfeit of 400
form
At last the dav to decide the contest
arrived Il was the first of May and the
courtyard Of the castle was beautifully
decorated with palms and flowers; flags
were suspended from all the windows
and stand had been erected, in which.
the ladies of the court were seated to
witness the outcome; beautiful tapestries
aud bunting completely covered the
gallery A band was discoursing martial
airs. and the scene was one OF greet
gsyety.
Suddenly the music stopped and all
was quiet; the unique contest was about
to begin. The keg of Brunswick beer
and that of Munich were placed side
by side; the taps were driven and the
bumpers filled. The brewmasteT drank
the Brunswick beer and the knight
partook OF the beverage from Munich.
AS he finished his drink, he sneeringly
remarked: THAT may be good drink,
but only for your women and children,
for of strength it has none"
"Oh hol So think youp' cried the
sanguine brewmaster. swell, we shall
soon see." He then ordered an atten-
usnt to bring two immense vessels, each
having a capacity Oi two and hall
gallons. Both of these great cups were
filled to overlooking from the contents
OF the barrels.
The brewmaster then handed one to
the Brunswicker, saying, God bless
your drink of Munich court beer" After
they had drained the bumpers he again
turned to the knight and said: Now,
we will empty another to your health,
and the one who, after the lapse OF hall
an hour, can thread a needle while
standing on one foot, shall be declared
the winner" The toast was drunk and
a maid was sent TO her room to procure
needle and thread. Returning from her
apartment she was obliged to pass
through small enclosure, where there
chanced to be a young pet goat.
In her haste to return with the desired
articles she left the gate open, and, just
al the moment when the contestants
to stand on one leg the goat
escaped and ran iriskiug into the court
yard. The brewmaster succeeded in
his needle, but the knight
his three times, and then fell
over suddenly and rolled helplesslY 1
a Dout in his efforts to regain his feet.
"Oh, sir" the brewmaster laughingly /
said, "what ails YOU that you grope /
about on the ground2" The knight, with
thick tongue, mumbled: This book 1
here has thrown me over" At this the /
Duke Christoph was convulsed with
laughter, and showed his great pleasure
at his brewmaster's victory. 1T is my |
opinion" said the latter, turning to the |
,"that the book has affected |
you as little as your beer has me. The /
Dock that threw you over was brewed |
by me +"
There was a great jubilee in the court, |
and all the town turned out to drink to |
the victory Of the brewmaster who had /
orewed a "bock" that had brought down |
the Brunswick knight. The master was /
literally rewarded, but the Brunswicker
had lost his 400 form, and returned to
bis home shamefacedly, See" said
the people, as he rode out of town,
there goes the knight who was thrown /
by the breWmaster's bockW
In commemoration of this great vic.
tory the court brewery at Munich each
spring bTews a strong, sweet beer,
which they have named book" For
many years this beer was exclusively |
made at the Munich brewery, but in
later years others started to do likewise,
until today it is the custom of each
brewer when spring approaches to place
a "bock" beer upon the market
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