The tradition of brewing beer in Poland is older than the beginnings of the Kingdom of Mieszko I. In the past, the golden drink was even called "bread soup" (hops were only an addition to beer - and only since the 15th century), drunk commonly and every day.

The popularity of the drink allowed for the development of the brewing craft, and many breweries and breweries known to this day had their origins in the old centuries. It should also come as no surprise that the inhabitants of Polish lands were eager to offer beer to their guests - and this applied both to "representatives of the commoners" and representatives of the most noble European offices.

When the cardinal goes to Poland

Hippolytus Aldobrandini was born in 1536 in the town of Fano on the Italian Adriatic coast. Although the parents could have had a lot of headache with their children (they had eight of them), the father of the family made sure that Hippolytus received the best possible education - he therefore studied law at the universities of Padua, Perugia and Bologna, finally receiving his doctorate, which was in those days it was quite an achievement. Hippolytus also chose the priesthood as his way of life. He also successfully climbed in church dignities - in December 1585 he was promoted to cardinal.

And Hippolytus would have lived his cardinal life in Rome, had he not been appointed apostolic nuncio in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1588. His task was special - he was to become a mediator between Sigismund III Vasa and the Habsburgs, who claimed the Polish throne.

Where politics, there is alcohol

During his special mission in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Hipolit Aldobrandini met Jan Zamoyski, and this acquaintance turned into a friendship after some time. Certainly, a certain standard addition to politics - the alcohol consumed during the interviews - helped. In this case, it was quite often beer. And not just any, because Warka beer produced in Mazovia! It turned out that the Apostolic Nuncio Aldobrandini very quickly became an enthusiast of the Polish golden drink. And according to the legend, Polish beer was to be a godsend for him in the future. But it was after he returned to Rome and in 1592 he was elected pope, taking the name of Clement VIII.

Was that the end of his adventure with Polish beer? Of course not! His friend from Poland, Jan Zamoyski, repeatedly sent to the Vatican a parcel with a portion of Warka beer!

Sancta Piva di Warka, ora pro nobis, or canonization of Warka beer

After several years of his pontificate, Pope Clement VIII was lying on his deathbed, waiting to meet his Creator. The cause of his serious ailment was a throat ulcer which made it impossible for him to swallow, which could result in suffocation or starvation. When the clergy prayed the Litany of the Saints in front of the sick, Clement VIII himself had to plunge into thoughts of his death and life. The poor man must have remembered the best things from his life, because suddenly he began to quietly whisper "Piva di Polonia, piva di Warka!" (Beer from Poland, beer from Warka!).

The clergy surrounding the pope did not know what "Piva di Polonia" was and thought that the pope was praying to some unknown saint from Poland. So they started to follow him, shouting "Sancta Piva di Warka, ora pro eo!" ("Holy Beer from Warka, pray on it!").

Laughter is good for health. Beer too

The Pope, hearing that his companions had just canonized his favorite drink, burst out laughing, as a result of which the ulcer in his throat burst. The wound healed quickly healed and Clement VIII was able to "come back to life" for a few more years. As you can see, both laughter and beer (in reasonable amounts!) Can be not only good, but also beneficial to your health.

Is this story completely true - no one knows. Nevertheless, there are many reports that Cardinal Aldobrandini has a genuine taste for beer from Warka.

 

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