In German there are several expressions that confirm the importance of Beer in the country’s culture. One of the best known expressions goes “if you don’t find an attractive woman it means you haven’t drank enough”. We gathered five other funny expressions which confirm the passion of Germany and its citizens for their brews.
1.Man soll das Bier nicht vor dem Kater loben
Literally, “do not praise the beer until you have tried tipsy drill”, and, to think about it, is a very wise statement applicable also to other alcoholic beverages.
2. Durst wird durch Bier erst schön
“Thirst is nice only if accompanied by a beer”: thirst seems to be what the Germans fear most, but at the same time are well aware of having at their disposal all the weapons necessary to defeat it.
3. Bei kaltem Wetter läuft die Nase, bei kaltem Bier läuft die Blase
“When the cold comes, your nose runs, when the beer is cold, the bladder.” Nothing to add.
4. Am Morgen ein Bier und der Tag gehört dir
Probably the most cheerful among these exclamations, partly because of the kissing rhyme that bring joy. It means: “Drink a beer in the morning and the day is yours.” [ It is not so advisable to do so during the working week.]
5. Ein Bock ist jenes Tier, der auch als Bier getrunken werden kann
This aphorism dates back to the nineteenth century and refers to a particular type of beer called Bock (translated “goat”) with an alcoholic rate of 6.5%. Translated, it means “the goat is that animal that can also be drunk as beer”.
These German ways of saying are added to others that do not spin exactly around the motif of beer, but they focus on drinking alcohol in general.
1. Wenn ich Durst habe, sieht es keiner. Wenn ich besoffen bin, sehen es alle
This pearl of wisdom refers again to thirst: “If I’m thirsty, no one will notice. If I’m drunk, everybody will know”
2. Der Wirt ist nicht der Beste, der mehr trinkt als die Gäste
Everyone likes to talk with the bartender, but nobody likes to pick it up from the ground, lost drunk. In Germany there is also a saying about this situation: “A barman is certainly not the best, if he drinks more than his guests”. What to say, there is really a saying to address any situation!
3. Halb besoffen, ist rausgeschmissenes Geld
If there are sayings that call for prudence in drinking alcohol, this one reverse them all: “getting half drunk is a waste of money”
4. Durst ist schlimmer als Heimweh
To reconfirm the fact that the Germans know that there is nothing that can not be solved with a good drink, this saying goes “it’s worse to be thirsty than feeling nostalgic” and probably does not refer to apple juice.
5. Hast du Kater, nimmst den Rat, trinke früh, was du trankst spät
In mezzo a cosi tanti detti non poteva mancare un consiglio su come affrontare al meglio una sbronza: “Se hai una sbronza, accetta il consiglio di bere prima quello che hai bevuto per ultimo”.
In the midst of so many sayings there could not be missing an advice on how to deal best when drunk: “If you are drunk, accept the advice of drinking first what you drank for last”
Cover photo:CC0
Are you getting intrigued by the German language or wish to refine your vocabulary? Then takea look at the German courses that Berlino Schuleorganizes!
FAQs
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.
Why is beer so important in Germany? ›
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 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.
What are some interesting facts about German beer? ›
GERMAN BEER FACTS
- 0.500. BEER VARIETIES. Germany produces a third of the world's 15,000 beer varieties.
- LITERS. Germans drink around 110 liters of beer per person per year.
- 0% PERCENT. Most beers in Germany have around 5 percent alcohol content.
- BILLION. Euros are spent on beer in Germany each year (highest in Europe).
How to say beer in German. 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.
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.
Is beer a symbol of Germany? ›
Beer in German culture
Over the years, Oktoberfest has become the leading international symbol of German beer culture. Raising the profile of some of the most iconic breweries from Munich each autumn, Oktoberfest may attract people from all over the world, but it is still so much more than a tourist attraction.
What is the saying about beer? ›
It's based on the sayings “liquor before beer, you're in the clear; beer before liquor, never sicker.” Drinkers want to know which statement is “true,” and some swear from their personal experiences that one or the other works for them.
What is beer German rule? ›
Reinheitsgebot, also known as the 'purity law', is said to be the oldest, still-enforced food regulation in the world. It was ordered by Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria in the year 1516. The Purity law required that “nothing other than barley, hops, and water” be used to produce beer.
What does beer mean in 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 makes German beer taste so good? It all dates back to 1516, and a tongue-twisting regulation called the Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) which stipulated that only four ingredients were permitted for brewing beer: water, barley, hops and yeast. Over 500 years later, that medieval edict still stands.
What are the characteristics of German beer? ›
One of the defining characteristics of Germany's beer is the diversity of its beer styles. From light and crisp lagers to rich and malty bocks, German breweries offer a wide array of options for beer enthusiasts. Lager, one of the most popular styles, is characterized by its clean, refreshing taste and crisp finish.
What is a ß called? ›
The German letter ß is a ligature and is also called a “scharfes s” (sharp s). But it's simpler than it sounds–it actually just means “ss”.
What do Germans say before drinking? ›
Prost! Translation: Cheers! Toss on an “Ein Toast!” at the end to encourage a celebratory “bottoms up!” before drinking your Märzen with friends.
How do you say drunk in German slang? ›
Ich bin blau (**) I'm really drunk. Lit. I'm blue.
Is Germany the beer capital of the world? ›
A Deep Dive into Munich's Brewing Heritage. Munich, the beer capital of the world, is renowned globally for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. However, its most celebrated attribute is its status as the "Beer Capital."
Why did Germans drink beer instead of water? ›
One reason is that prior to industrialization, Germans drank beer in the absence of clean drinking water, with the bonus of being a nutritional powerhouse. Says Chip McElroy, biochemist and founder of Live Oak Brewing Co., "It was traditionally a very nutritious food source. It's got some calories, it's got vitamins.
Do people in Germany drink beer everyday? ›
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 country is known for the most beer? ›
1 title goes to the Czech Republic, which claimed the top spot for the 30th consecutive year in 2022 with 188.5 liters (approximately 50 gallons) of beer consumed per capita.
