Cheers! The Unique Way Hermits Toast Before Drinking Beer

Germany is known for its beer-drinking culture, with no other European country producing more of the beverage. Brewing beer is a German tradition that spans over a thousand years, with the first brew originating from a monastery in Munich in the 11th century. So, it's no surprise that there are certain drinking etiquette and traditions that are considered rude to ignore. One of the most important rules is to always toast before taking a sip of your drink. Germans say prost, which means to life or to health, or zum wohl, meaning to your health, before clinking glasses and making eye contact.

Germans say Prost when toasting, which translates to cheers

Germans say "prost" when toasting, which translates to "cheers" in English. This is one of the most well-known drinking toasts in the world, and it's easy to see why—Germany is the largest producer of beer in Europe, and the oldest brewery in the world is located in the country.

"Prost" is an expression that means "to life" or "to health". It's considered rude not to say "prost" before taking a sip of your drink in Germany. When Germans toast, they clink with the bottom of their glasses, not the top or middle, and they make eye contact as they do so. It's also considered bad luck to toast with water.

If you're in Switzerland, you can substitute "Broscht!" for "Prost!". This is the Swiss-German way to say "cheers".

There are other popular German toasts, too. Zum Wohl is used in more formal situations, like a fancy dinner or a retirement party. Gesundheit is another, which is also used when someone sneezes.

Germans clink the bottom of their glasses, not the top or middle

When it comes to drinking beer, Germans have a specific tradition. Before taking a sip, it is customary to toast and say "prost", which means "to life" or "to health". It is considered rude not to toast before drinking. An important part of the tradition is to clink glasses with each person in the group, maintaining eye contact as you do so. This is believed to be an assurance that the drinks are not poisoned, with the eye contact confirming that neither drink has been tampered with.

Interestingly, Germans clink with the bottom of their glasses, rather than the top or middle. This is partly due to the design of German beer glasses, which are typically thicker at the base than the rim. Clinking at the bottom reduces the risk of shattering the glass. Additionally, the "german way" of clinking at the bottom may have originated from the humpen or beer stein, as these drinking vessels are heavy and difficult to clink at the top.

The German drinking culture also includes other superstitions and traditions. For example, it is considered bad luck to toast with water, and one should take a few sips of their drink before putting the glass down. These traditions are an important part of the country's social gatherings and celebrations, such as Oktoberfest, and showcase the rich history and customs of Germany.

Toasting with water is considered bad luck

In some countries, toasting with water is considered rude and can bring about a nonspecific threat. For example, in Russia, it is considered bad luck to toast with an empty glass. In China, guests are expected to respond to a host's toast by raising a glass of the same beverage, which would be impossible with an empty glass. In Spain, toasting with water or any other non-alcoholic drink is said to bring about a curse of seven years of bad sex.

In some cultures, toasting with water is not only considered bad luck but is also forbidden. For example, the U.S. Air Force and Navy avoid toasting with water unless under extreme circumstances, such as being a prisoner of war. Similarly, in Georgia, toasting with beer is considered bad luck, and it is customary to use other alcoholic drinks for toasts.

While the belief that toasting with water brings bad luck may seem like a harmless superstition to some, it can be exclusionary and destructive, especially for those who are sober, pregnant, or unable to drink alcohol for other reasons. It is important to be mindful of these considerations when participating in drinking culture and to remember that there are always alternatives to alcoholic drinks that can be included in toasts.

Germans make eye contact when toasting

In Germany, it is considered extremely rude not to make eye contact when toasting, or saying "cheers" ("prost" in German). This tradition has caught out many expats, who were unaware of the custom. It is considered a major faux pas in German drinking etiquette to forget to make eye contact when clinking glasses. Germans will tell you that if you don't make eye contact, you will have seven years of bad sex. However, this is just a superstition.

There are several theories as to the origin of this tradition, most of which relate to medieval times. One theory is that the clinking of glasses imitates the fanfare that would have been played when a king raised his glass to begin a feast. However, this does not explain the eye contact rule. A more credible theory is that the clinking of glasses is a way of ensuring that your drink has not been poisoned. By bumping glasses together with some force, the drinks will splash into each other, and if your drinking partner has poisoned your drink, they risk poisoning themselves, too. By making eye contact, you can watch the glasses as they hit each other, and assert to one another that there is no reason to check your glass for poison. This establishes a mutual trust between the drinkers.

Germans take their beer seriously. Germany is the largest producer of beer in Europe, and brewing is a cultural tradition that spans over a thousand years. Germans also have rules about how to toast correctly. For example, you should always toast before you drink, and you should clink glasses with the bottom of the glass, not the top or middle. Toasting with water is also considered bad luck.

Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival

The festival usually runs for 16 to 18 days, starting in mid-to-late September and ending on the first Sunday in October. If the first Sunday falls on October 1 or 2, the festival is extended until October 3, which is German Unity Day. The official start of Oktoberfest is marked by the mayor of Munich tapping the first keg and filling the first mass (the famous one-liter German beer stein). This is followed by the proclamation "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!" in the Austro-Bavarian dialect), and gunshots are fired to signal to the other tents that they can begin serving beer.

There are only six official Oktoberfest breweries: Hofbräu, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. These breweries serve their beers in enormous beer garden tents at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, where the festival takes place. In addition to beer, visitors can enjoy amusement rides, games, and a variety of traditional foods, including pork sausages and roasted ox dishes. Many attendees also wear traditional Bavarian clothing, such as dirndls and lederhosen.

Oktoberfest is a celebration of Bavarian culture and heritage, and it has become a worldwide phenomenon, with similar festivals emerging across the globe. It is a time for people to come together, raise a glass, and enjoy the best of Bavarian food, drink, and hospitality. Prost!

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