Southern Beer Breakfasts: Fact Or Fiction?

Drinking beer with breakfast is a tradition in many parts of the world, including the south of Munich, Germany, where it is customary to pair a wheat beer with a classic Bavarian breakfast of white sausages, soft pretzels, and sweet mustard. This meal, known as Weißwurstfrühstück, is a beloved tradition in the region and is often enjoyed before noon on Saturdays. While the practice of drinking beer with breakfast may seem unusual to some, it has a long history in various cultures and offers a unique way to start the day.

Beer for breakfast in Germany

In Germany, it is common to drink beer for breakfast, especially in the southern state of Bavaria. The tradition is called Frühschoppen, which means an alcoholic drink before midday in company. It is often a kind of brunch, but doesn't always involve food. Frühschoppen usually takes place on Sundays in a tavern, pub, or inn, and can also be held at fun fairs like Oktoberfest.

In Bavaria, a Weißwurstfrühstück (white sausage breakfast) is a traditional breakfast consisting of white sausages, soft pretzels, sweet mustard, and wheat beer. This meal is typically consumed before noon and is seen as an excuse for an informal get-together. The specific type of beer that is often consumed with breakfast in Germany is called hefeweizen, which is made from malted wheat instead of malted barley and has a cloudy, unfiltered appearance. Hefeweizen is also said to aid digestion due to the presence of a metabolite called 4-vinyl guaiacol, which stimulates the metabolism.

The tradition of drinking beer for breakfast in Germany is deeply rooted in the country's culture, and it is not uncommon to see people drinking beer at any time of the day. However, with evolving medical advice and increasing awareness of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, even Germans have toned down their drinking habits to some extent.

The nutritional value of beer

Beer is made by brewing and fermenting cereal grains with yeast, hops, and other flavouring agents. It has been consumed for thousands of years and is one of the world's oldest beverages.

Nutritional Value

Beer is often viewed as empty calories, but it does contain some vitamins and minerals. A 12-ounce (355 mL) serving of beer contains:

• Fat: Less than 1 gram
• Carbohydrates: 12-13 grams
• Fiber: Less than 1 gram
• Sugar: Less than 1 gram
• B vitamins
• Minerals such as potassium, calcium, thiamine, iron, and zinc

However, the amount of these vitamins and minerals is relatively small, and whole foods like fruits and vegetables are a much better source. You would need to drink large amounts of beer to meet your daily nutrient requirements, which would be unhealthy.

Beer also contains antioxidants, with darker beers tending to have higher levels of antioxidants than lighter beers.

Health Benefits

Drinking one or two standard beers (12 ounces or 355 mL) per day may have some health benefits, including:

• Improved heart health: Light to moderate beer intake has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
• Better blood sugar control: Light to moderate alcohol intake may reduce insulin resistance and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Stronger bones: Low to moderate beer intake may be linked to increased bone density in men and postmenopausal women.
• Reduced dementia risk: Light to moderate alcohol intake may lower the risk of dementia.

Negative Health Effects

However, it is important to note that heavy and binge drinking can have negative health effects, including:

• Increased risk of death: Heavy drinking is associated with a higher risk of early death.
• Alcohol dependence: Frequent alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol use disorder.
• Increased risk of depression: Heavy and binge drinkers have a higher risk of depression.
• Liver disease: Drinking more than two beers per day can increase the risk of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
• Weight gain: Beer is high in calories, and consuming multiple drinks can contribute to weight gain.
• Cancer: Any alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including throat and mouth cancers.

In conclusion, while beer does have some nutritional value and potential health benefits, it is important to consume it in moderation. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to negative health consequences.

The history of beer for breakfast

Drinking beer for breakfast has a long history in many parts of the world, from Europe to the United States. While it may seem unusual in the present day, there are several reasons why beer was a common breakfast beverage in the past.

During the Middle Ages in the UK, people often started their day with a beer alongside their breakfast before heading to work. This practice was not limited to adults, as even children consumed "small beer", which had a low alcohol content of typically less than 2.8% ABV. While some historians attribute the preference for beer over water to concerns about water safety, others argue that water was accessible and consumed by most people. Instead, the popularity of beer as a breakfast beverage may be explained by its nutritional value and calorie content. In an era when most jobs involved manual labour, beer provided both calories and hydration, serving as a source of energy for physically demanding work.

In Germany, the tradition of drinking beer for breakfast, known as "Frühschoppen", has been part of Bavarian life since perhaps the 16th century. Typically, a wheat beer ("weissbier") was served after church on Sundays and holidays, accompanied by food such as sausages ("wurst"), pretzels, and sweet mustard. This tradition continues to the present day, with establishments like Gaststätte Großmarkthalle in Munich serving a classic Bavarian breakfast of white sausages, soft pretzels, and wheat beer.

Monasteries, where most beer and wine were made in the past, also played a role in the history of beer for breakfast. German monks were producing beer as early as the 14th century, and by 1634, the friars at Neudeck ob der Au (Paulaner Brewery) in Munich were drinking strong dopplebocks during Lent. Similarly, Belgian monks produced "small" beers, which were low-ABV (under 3% ABV) thirst-quenchers that could be consumed with breakfast or lunch.

In the United States, the tradition of drinking in the morning took various forms, from "eye-openers" to "elevenses" and "mornin's morning". During the 1800s, "elevenses" became popular among the upper crust, who would enjoy a small snack and tea, with American workers adding whiskey to the mix. Between the Civil War and World War II, urban sophisticates also partook in "eye-openers", and Washington D.C. politicians like Colonel Joe Rickey favoured an early-hour libation of bourbon on ice with seltzer, known as a "Rickey".

While drinking beer for breakfast may no longer be as common or acceptable as it once was, it remains a tradition in certain parts of the world and has evolved to include craft beers and innovative flavours.

Low-ABV beers

Drinking beer with breakfast is a tradition in some parts of the world, such as Germany, where a tall vase of hefeweizen is the traditional accompaniment to the "second breakfast" in Bavaria.

If you're looking to join in on this tradition but want to keep the alcohol content low, there are plenty of low-ABV beers to choose from. These beers typically have an alcohol content of around 2% to 4%, and some are even non-alcoholic. Here are some options to consider:

• Stiegl Grapefruit Radler: This beer is tasty and refreshing, with a grapefruit flavour that makes it almost taste like a soda.
• Athletic Brewing Company: This company specialises in non-alcoholic beers, and their Cereveza Atletica is a light and refreshing Mexican lager with a slightly floral flavour.
• Allagash Little Grove Sparkling Session Ale: This beer is bright and effervescent, with a perfect harmony of sweetness and tartness. At only 3.8% ABV and 100 calories, it's a great option if you're looking for something light.
• Anchor Little Weekend Golden Ale: This golden ale from Anchor Brewing Company has just 100 calories but plenty of mango flavour. It's the perfect beer to take with you on your outdoor adventures.
• Bell's Light Hearted Ale: With a 3.7% ABV and just 110 calories, this beer from Bell's Brewery offers plenty of flavour and body without the high alcohol content.
• Goose Island So-Lo IPA: This IPA has a full-bodied flavour and citrusy notes, making it a perfect choice for hot weather. At only 3% ABV and 98 calories, you can enjoy more than one without worrying about calories or a hangover.

So, whether you're looking for a traditional breakfast beer or just wanting to explore the growing trend of low-ABV options, there are plenty of delicious choices to pair with your morning meal.

Beer with breakfast in the US

Drinking beer with breakfast has a long history in Europe, and while it may not be as common in the US nowadays, it was once a tradition there, too.

A Historical Perspective

During the Middle Ages in the UK, people would start their day with a beer alongside their breakfast before heading to work. This was known as "small beer", which typically had an alcohol by volume percentage of less than 2.8%. It was consumed by everyone, including children, and was seen as nourishing and a good source of hydration and calories. This tradition continued into the early 1800s with the practice of "elevenses", where the upper crust would have a small snack and tea, with American workers adding whiskey to the mix.

In Germany, monks were producing beer as early as the 14th century, and by 1634, the friars at Neudeck ob der Au (Paulaner Brewery) in Munich were drinking morning doppelbocks during Lent. In Bavaria, a tall glass of wheat beer (weissbier) is traditionally served after church on Sundays and holidays, often accompanied by wurst and pretzels. This is known as Frühschoppen, which translates to "an alcoholic drink before midday in company".

In Belgium, monks also produced "small beers", which were low-ABV (under 3%) thirst-quenchers that could be enjoyed with breakfast or lunch. In southern Belgium and northern France, farms would brew their own beers in the winter to be ready for drinking in the summer during harvest time. These beers were known as "saison" and "bière de garde".

While drinking beer with breakfast may not be as common in the US today, there are still some instances where it is considered acceptable. For example, at weekend brunches, it is now typical to see people enjoying mimosas, Bloody Marys, or craft beers alongside their morning meals.

There are also certain cultural traditions that involve drinking beer with breakfast. For instance, in Germany, a traditional Bavarian breakfast includes white sausages, soft pretzels, sweet mustard, and wheat beer. This meal, known as Weißwurstfrühstück, is a social occasion and is often enjoyed before noon.

Additionally, some modern breweries have started experimenting with adding breakfast-friendly ingredients like oats, coffee, and even scrapple to their beers, making them more appealing for morning imbibing.

Frequently asked questions