Iowan Replaces Food with Beer For Lent

By Erin Gloria Ryan | March 13, 2011 | 7:14pm

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An Iowa man with two children and a very patient wife has decided to give up food for Lent and replace it with beer. The Chicago Tribune reports that while he’s planning on subsisting exclusively on booze for the duration of the religious observance, J. Wilson isn’t going to spend the 40-something days between Lent and Easter wasted and running around with a lampshade on his head. His Lenten sacrifice is based on the behaviors of 18th century monks and has required him to prepare his body for months in advance.

He’s living on four 12-ounce Illuminator Doppelbocks a day, brewed for him by the Rock Bottom Brewery in Des Moines. Each beer contains just under 300 calories and is roughly 6.7 percent alcohol.

And while it might appear he’s simply given up sobriety for Lent, Wilson says he plans to consult with a doctor during the fast and does not intend to be drunk at any point.

While the child of Catholics in me respects his sacrifice and determination, I worry for his health and wonder if his quest is perhaps a bit misguided. What if he’s selected the wrong type of beer? What if the Lord would prefer he drink something a little hoppier, or make it a real sacrifice and spend the Lenten season sipping on that 90-calorie swill that commercials keep telling me will make me both sexy and drunk.