Not your everyday beer story: Hurns Brewing Company has dug up information about two dozen beer saints throughout history, according to this article.

Beer was an important component of the secular and ecclesiastical diet, especially for monks fasting for their holy orders.

Almost every monastery from Mexico to Timbuktu brewed its own beer and more than a few still do.

Most of the 24 "beer saints" were initially monks and nuns, who many centuries ago brewed beer to purify water and ensure that the malnourished and the weary had safe and healthy ale to drink.

They only list six of the 24 saints, though. I’d be interested in seeing the whole list.

Via Hail the Ale!, who credits A Welsh View for the find.