The Germans' favourite alcoholic beverage? That can only be beer. Statistically speaking, every German drank 95 litres of beer in 2020. Around 5,000 different types of beer now provide plenty of variety. They are produced in around 1,500 breweries in Destination Germany, more than half of them in the southern German state of Bavaria. This diversity is unique in the world.
However, the Germans did not invent their favourite drink, even if that is just too fitting. As one of the oldest alcohol-based beverages, beer's many stages of development go back to early times. But today's beer production has been perfected in Germany. For over 500 years, the German Purity Law has ensured clearly regulated ingredients: Water, malt, hops, yeast - and nothing else.
Anything else is not beer. After all, the so-called "Purity Law" is not to be trifled with. It is far more than a pure promise of quality. It is, in fact, the oldest consumer protection law in the world, dating back to 1516. Before that, beer served as a healthy substitute for water, which was usually contaminated. At that time, the beer was fortified with all kinds of questionable ingredients. This practice ended the introduction of the Purity Law. The ingredient "yeast" was added a little later. One thing is certain: German brewers still adhere to the Purity Law today. Not for nothing is it recognised worldwide as a seal of quality.
Clear ingredients and at the same time diverse regional beer varieties. You could almost think that every region has its own preference when it comes to the "taste of beer". As the most widely drunk beer, the "Pils" is now represented everywhere in Germany, even though the original recipe goes back to the Czech city of Pilsen. Refreshing and light in colour with a strong hint of hops, it is brewed inexpensively and in a very short time. Experts refer to it as a "bottom-fermented full beer". Its antagonist is the "top-fermented Altbier, which is very popular in western Germany and easily recognisable thanks to its dark malt colour. What would Düsseldorf be without its Altbier... Bavarians like it a bit fruitier with the traditional "Weizenbier", served in stylish long glasses - preferably in the Bavarian beer garden. There are countless varieties that Germans enjoy as cool refreshment in summer, as a drink at the end of the day or just for fun. And rightly so, because it tastes delicious.
The love of beer is even reflected in the language. Germans like to talk verbatimly about "something brewing". They mean a storm is coming or, in a figurative sense, the fact that trouble or a quarrel is in the air. And when every effort is in vain, one often hears the exclamation: " Hops and malt are lost”, meaning it's hopeless". Countless other idioms make for a lively German language.
So, before “something is brewing”, first drink a beer together and discover more idioms of the German language.
FAQs
As one of the oldest alcohol-based beverages, beer's many stages of development go back to early times. But today's beer production has been perfected in Germany. For over 500 years, the German Purity Law has ensured clearly regulated ingredients: Water, malt, hops, yeast - and nothing else. Anything else is not beer.
Why is beer so important to the German culture? ›
Centuries ago, drinking beer was safer than drinking the water, and beer was regarded as safe, nutritious and caloric, even appropriate for small children. Beer became increasingly popular in Germany, especially after the enactment of the Beer Purity Law.
What is beer German rule? ›
The Purity law required that “nothing other than barley, hops, and water” be used to produce beer. Yeast is the fourth ingredient that is allowed, but it's not listed in the original law because yeast's role in the fermentation process had not yet been discovered at the time that it was written.
What does beer have to do with Germany? ›
Beer (German: Bier pronounced [biːɐ̯]) is a major part of German culture, with only water, hops, and malt permitted as ingredients in its production. Beers not exclusively using barley-malt, such as wheat beer, must be top-fermented.
What is the most popular German beer in Germany? ›
Pilsner. By far the most popular type of beer in Germany is pilsner, generally known as 'Pils'. The light-golden beer with the dry hoppy aroma is very popular in the North, West and East.
Do Germans drink beer every day? ›
Germans especially appreciate their beer and have a culture rich with beer-drinking traditions - some practised annually, others seasonally and many more every day.
What do Germans call beer? ›
Beer in German is “das Bier” and the plural is “die Biere”. There are so many different beers in Germany that it's easy to get overwhelmed.
Is it illegal to drink beer in public in Germany? ›
Drinking in Public
Unlike in many other countries, alcohol consumption, and especially drinking beer, in public is not only legal but very common in Germany. The so-called Feierabendbier (end-of-work beer) is still a vivid part of the German beer and working culture.
What is the German expression about beer? ›
Durst wird durch Bier erst schön
"Thirst is only beautiful when accompanied by beer," goes the saying. Thirst might be the thing Germans fear the most, but it turns into a wonderful thing when they have a cold frothy Maß placed in front of them.
Do people in Germany drink beer for breakfast? ›
Beer is an important part of German culture and drinking beer is even enjoyed regularly. In fact, some people in Bavaria also enjoy a special type of malted brew for breakfast called hefeweizen.
Stella Artois is proud of our rich Belgian heritage. Stella Artois traces its origins to over 600 years ago, to the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium founded in 1366. Stella Artois was born as a Holiday gift to the people of Leuven from the brewery.
Why is beer so good in Germany? ›
For over 500 years, the German Purity Law has ensured clearly regulated ingredients: Water, malt, hops, yeast - and nothing else. Anything else is not beer. After all, the so-called "Purity Law" is not to be trifled with. It is far more than a pure promise of quality.
What is a fact about beer in Germany? ›
The economic facts of German beer.
Germany boasts a staggering number of breweries, which are witness to centuries of deep-rooted beer culture. With around 1,500 breweries spread across the country (half of them in Bavaria), Germany holds the record for the highest number of breweries in Europe.
Why was beer so important? ›
Beer and Civilization
Dr. Solomon Katz theorizes that when man learned to ferment grain into beer more than 10,000 years ago, it became one of his most important sources of nutrition. Beer gave people protein that unfermented grain couldn't supply. And besides, it tasted a whole lot better than unfermented grain.
Does Germany drinks the most beer in the world per person? ›
The Czech Republic remains the leader in per capita beer drinking for the 29th year. In 2021, the average Czech drank more than 184 liters of beer. The Czech Republic is known for its affordable beer.
