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Beer

Germans are - contrary to the common belief - not the world's beer-drinking champions. However, beer is undoubtedly a favourite drink and there are more than 1200 breweries in Germany, most of them brewing several different beers and many of them with long and proud brewing traditions.

Reinheitsgebot
All German beers are brewed according to the "Reinheitsgebot" (German Beer Purity Law). It was ordered by Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria in the year 1516. It is the oldest food regulation in the world and still exists today unchanged from the original. The regulation basically says that beer should be brewed exclusively from barley malt, hops and water. Today, yeast is also recognized as a vital ingredient. German brewers observe strict compliance with the Reinheitsgebot and guarantee that in Germany only excellent, healthy beers are brewed.

Beer Styles
There is an enormous variety in beer styles, some of them only have a regional importance like the "Kšlsch" in Cologne or the unique "Berliner Weisse", Berlin's classic sour wheat beer, served with a shot of raspberry or woodruff syrup. The mainstream varieties are the light coloured "Pils" and "Export" beers and the dark coloured "Alt". "Bock" or "Doppelbock" is a strong beer with 7% alcohol. There are light and dark coloured bock beers, all having its origin in Einbeck in Lower Saxony. "Weizenbier" is a popular wheat beer. The "Hefeweizen" has a stronger shot of yeast. Both come from Bavaria and taste slightly sweet.

German beers tend to have their own particular type of glass, designed to underline the appreciation of the beer. You normally order a "Kleines Bier" (small glass, quarter liter) or a "Grosses Bier" (large glass, half liter). In Bavaria, beer is also served in a "Mass", a giant mug containing just over a litre. Good to know: Bavarian beer contains less alcohol.

Beer - just as wine and other alcoholic beverages - can be bought any time, even on weekends. It is mainly sold in supermarkets. There are no liquor stores in Germany. And, of course, the "Kneipe" - equivalent to the English Pub - is the place to go for beer or two. Here, you get it "gezapft", from the tap.