Xavier Pacheco

1. Memorize TULIP.

2. Study Reformed Theology (here’s a place to start)

3. Read the Westminster Confession of Faith (for the 50th time this year for you Presbyterians).

4. Plan a trip to Geneva (or take one if you can quickly arrange it).

5. Watch the movie (Luther). Ok this isn’t about Calvin but it is about the founder of the reformation and an excellent movie.

6. Have a religious statue, image/icon destroying ceremony.

7. Enjoy a meal of Swiss or French origin (like Swiss cheese and French Fries).

8. Make sure you do not swear, gamble, or dance (even at weddings: apologies to my friend Elvis who is getting married on this fine day).

9. Be sure you attend church this week or be penalized (unless you have a good excuse, but it’d better be good).

10. Enjoy a Calvinus beer. Note: this beer is hard to get, you basically have to go to Switzerland to get it. If you are not fortunate to be living in  Switzerland, acquire some other beer of choice (a blonde ale), remove the label, slap a picture of Calvin on it and pretend it is a Calvinus. Then, to John Calvin - Prost!

bonus: read this fine article on Calvin by my good friend Bill Petro.

Which are you? See the caption underneath the beer glasses.

Results:

I have always thought that monks living in seclusion in Bavaria were the gurus on good brewing techniques. Apparently, I was wrong. I do enjoy a good beer and having lived in Germany for five years, I've acquired a taste for a good brew, not to mention that I also homebrew on occasion.  Given my interest in the the Torah, Redemptive history and Jewish studies, it seems fitting that I would enjoy the beer brewed by the Shmaltz Brewing Company named HE' BREW, The Chosen Beer.   I love their names:  Genesis Ale: Our First Creation (I'll have to work this into my term paper on creation, LOL!) I love this one, Messiah Bold: It's the beer you've been waiting for!  This beer is actually certified kosher by rabbinical standards! What appears to have been started as a joke according to one article has resulted in a really good micro-brew; this beer is excellent!

The website even provides recipes.  I'm looking at their seasonal beer, Jewbelation 5766: In 5766, the Chanukah lights will shine a little brighter.  Looks complicated, so I'm going to have to confer with some brewing buddies to see if this can be simplified for homebrewers.

L'Chaim!