While many Christians are giving up meat, alcohol and other vices for Lent, one man has vowed to consume a liquid-only diet of just beer.
Del Hall, who works for a brewing company in Ohio in the US, is set to drink an assortment of beer for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for more than six weeks until Easter Sunday.
The beer aficionado told Fox 6 News he took inspiration from German monks in the 17th century who swore off solid food in favour of a diet of homemade hearty bock beer for the 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.
Mr Hall said people “think I’m crazy” but the army veteran admitted he was used to pushing past mental barriers and taking on unthinkable feats.
He is keen to prove to himself this latest challenge is possible.
“I’ve run a full marathon before, 26.2 miles [42km]. I’ve done… big challenges, but this seems very daunting, so I’m just curious if I’m up to the challenge if I’m gonna be able to do it or not,” Mr Hall, of Fifty West Brewing Company, said.
What is Lent?
For Christians, Lent is a holy time of sacrifice that begins on Ash Wednesday – a day after Pancake (or Shrove) Tuesday.
It is a six-week-long event marking a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for Easter.
It usually means giving up certain pleasures to emulate the sacrifice Jesus made when he entered the desert for 40 days.