Things You'll Need:
- A small bit of courage.
- A few Euros.
-
Step 1
Understand how beer is classified. In many countries (USA,etc) one orders beer by brand. In Germany, this is usually not the case. Instead there is usually 1 brand at any given establishment (sometimes a few more, but usually 1 or 2 is the norm). However that 1 brand will usually be the local brewery (which is served all over town) which offers different kinds of beer, all under their brand.
-
Step 2
Determine what kind of beer you want (if you don't know for sure go to step 3). Although there are many special styles, the more common ones are...
Pils (very bitter, light lager)
Export (a less bitter light lager)
Weissbier (wheat beer, usually not filtered, this is usually the standard Hefeweizen)
Kristallweizen (wheat beer, filtered)
Dunkel (Dark lager)
Dunkelweizen (Dark Weissbier) -
Step 3
Determine what selection the local establishment has on tap. If you don't care about fresh beer, then just order the style and they'll bring you one. Otherwise, ask the bartender/waiter/waitress, "Was haben sie vom Fass?" (Vas hab in zee fom [like "Tom"] Fass [like "boss"]?).
-
Step 4
Make note of the different styles they list off and choose one, simply repeat the type of beer with a "bitte" (bit-tuh) after it. i.e. "Weissbier bitte" (vise beer bit-tuh).
-
Step 5
Thank your server with one of the following Danke (Donk-uh), Danke sehr (Donk-uh sare [like dare]), Danke schoen (Donk-uh shun).
-
Step 6
Raise your glass to the others at the table (if they are drinking beer also) and say "Prost!" (prossed [like grossed])
-
Step 7
Carefully proceed to clink glasses with the other people as you would in a normal toast, but touch the bottom of the glasses, and look the other people in the eyes. Be careful not to spill it.
-
Step 8
Drink your fresh beer.
