Beer and Benedict XVI

The incomparable Kathy Shaidle found an obsure news report about a German beer maker whose sales skyrocketed on word that its flagship product is sometimes enjoyed by the pope.

Problem: The news story to which Shaidle (and, with typical verve, Christopher Johnson over at Midwest Conservative Journal) linked doesn't actually mention the brand of beer involved.

Solution: Call my "European Bureau Chief" (aka, friend Kurt), who did some poking around and then replied in a magnificently Chandleresque email titled "Beer is my business."

If the pope has a beer of choice, it's Malteser Weißbier from Stuttgarter Hofbräu.

Related trivia, also from Kurt:

• Stuttgart: The Stuttgarter Hofbraeu just sent 24,000 bottles of its Malteser Weissbier to Benedict XVI. Apparently, Ratzinger blessed it at the Vatican in 2003. Label does not exactly match the picture you sent.
• Bavaria: Weideneder Brauerei, the brewery in Ratzinger's hometown, Marktl am Inn, just renamed its flagship beer "Marktler-Papst-Bier" (Marktl Pope Beer). Obviously a publicity stunt. Obviously not from Stuttgart.

Another instance of friends in low places, or, more exaltedly, the blogosphere at your service.

Memo to self: Thank Al Gore for "inventing the Internet."

On second thought, scratch that.

Prost!

UPDATE: Thanks Roman Catholic Blog and Relapsed Catholic!