Franciscan nun Sister Doris took over as brewmaster at Mallersdorf Abbey in Bavaria in 1975, succeeding an elderly sister who'd been brewing since the 1930s.
Peter von Felbert
Early start —
On brewing days, Sister Doris is excused from morning prayers and makes her way to the abbey brew house by 3.30 a.m.
Peter von Felbert
Historic hospitality —
Mallersdorf is one of only a handful of surviving abbey breweries, which were once found across Europe.
Peter von Felbert
Sisters are brewing it for themselves —
Sister Doris maintains that brewing is "women's work," since female brewers were once common in the Middle Ages.
Peter von Felbert
A keg for all seasons —
Depending on the season, Sister Doris can be found crafting a copper-toned vollbier (lager), a dark zoigl, a contemplative doppelbock or spritzy maibock.
Peter von Felbert
Brand Doris —
Sister Doris' brews have a fiercely loyal following because of the quality of her beer, but they're available only in a few locations in deepest Bavaria.
Peter von Felbert
Thirsty work —
Sister Doris is known for her strong opinions on brewing. She's no fan of Bavaria's favorite weizen beer and doesn't bother to produce it.
Peter von Felbert
Small beer —
The Mallersdorf brewery produces 80,000 only gallons of beer a year -- a quantity one of the world's brewing giants can turn out in eight minutes.
