There is great truth in Alphonse Karr's remark that modern men are ugly because they do not wear their beards.

May 8, 2006 7:59 AM

The German town of Hesel bore witness a few weeks ago to the International German Beard World Championship. Photos here and here. [more inside]
posted by monju_bosatsu (16 comments total)

The German event is one of a series of similar championship beard events, with a competition in New York this upcoming weekend. The New York event even has its own blog, by the way, as does Beard Team USA.

The championship series has a number of helpful resources for beginners, including a gallery of contestants and a diagram of the various possible styles for your beard, not to mention a list of local beard clubs for you to join. No club nearby? Don't worry, find camraderie in the online beard community, including the world's largest gallery of beard photos.

Also, coming soon is Splitting Hairs, a documentary about championship beards. If, on the other hand, you fancy facial hair a bit further north, try this.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 7:59 AM on May 8, 2006

woa. just.. woa.
posted by zenzizi at 8:07 AM on May 8, 2006

Woof ?
posted by fugitivefromchaingang at 8:10 AM on May 8, 2006

Their natural enemy is soup.
posted by Freen at 8:19 AM on May 8, 2006

The monobrow tag made me laugh.

As someone who is physically incapable of growing a beard/moustache, I applaud these men.
posted by slimepuppy at 8:22 AM on May 8, 2006

Cool post. Thanks. I need to show this to my wife so that she will never be able to complain about a weekend beard.
posted by dios at 8:35 AM on May 8, 2006

Oh, Lord.



*laughs until he passes out*
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:35 AM on May 8, 2006

A beard can be dangerous though...
posted by carsonb at 8:40 AM on May 8, 2006

I take it no one in Hesel will be sporting the toothbrush moustache?
posted by NationalKato at 8:41 AM on May 8, 2006

Sheesh. No wonder this guy overcompensated.


posted by CynicalKnight at 10:13 AM on May 8, 2006

Oh, man. These guys look like they've come straight from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book.
posted by antifreez_ at 10:13 AM on May 8, 2006

This is fucking awesome. I love beard championships. I have a friend with an amazing beard-growing talent who could totally contend with these guys, but he won't even consider trying. No ambition!
posted by Anonymous at 10:19 AM on May 8, 2006

BTDT
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 1:24 PM on May 8, 2006

Their natural enemy is soup.
And fire, of course.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 1:32 PM on May 8, 2006

This..... almost makes me wish I were physically capable fo growing a beard.

Almost.
posted by WidgetAlley at 10:09 PM on May 8, 2006

John Malkovich?
posted by NinjaTadpole at 12:20 PM on May 9, 2006