Beer

Where do I even start? This has been such a game changer. Beer at work, beer while walking the streets, beer at breakfast – just, beer. And trust me, it was something we easily adapted to.

Beer is an important part of the German culture. And with no laws with drinking in public, you can drink that bottle with pride. It was initially weird to see it everywhere, but people don’t bat an eye when you’ve got one in your hand riding the subway, sitting at a park or playground, ordering it as your drink for your value meal, or even while pushing your child in the stroller (yes, really). It’s very accessible. You can grab a “wegbier” or “way beer” on your route from the stands at subway stations, stores, cafés, or at your local “späti” (late purchase), which are small convenience stores centered around alcohol and tobacco and open around the clock.

And with the many types there are to choose from, we’ve noticed the specific type of beer is more important than the brand when ordering. For example, you can just tell the server you want a pilsner, or a hefeweizen and in what size (1/2 liters are normal!). And if you’re not a beer snob, you can even just simply say “beer” and by default you get what is on tap.

The funny thing is, you would think a ton of drunk folks would be roaming the streets but it’s the exact opposite. Berliners don’t “chug” foolishly, they take their time to enjoy it. There are even alcohol-free options that are surprisingly popular just for the taste.

Beer is not even frowned upon in the workplace. One of Robert’s co-workers grabs a beer every morning from the company’s beer fridge (yes, really) and sits it on his desk all day until it’s time to go home. Company emails are sent out every Friday afternoon to invite everyone to the break room to “toast” the start of the weekend. I thought cupcakes to celebrate birthdays once a month at my old job was fun, but this takes it to a whole new level. 

Like all recyclable bottles, you pay a small deposit for each bottle that is refunded to you when you return it. Since we don’t have a car and find it an inconvenience to carry it home, we order our beer by crates and have it delivered right to our front door (yes, really) which also saves us the trip of hauling them back for our deposit.

So here we are as “BEERliners”, once only wine lovers, where we leave our beer on the back porch so it’s ice cold and ready. Where Oktoberfest and beer gardens are the norm walking through the city next door to your favorite retail store. And where a local will call you out for not having a beer opener in your back pocket because “you’re in Berlin”.

It hasn’t always been easy adapting to some of the cultural differences between our old home and our current one, but this one has DEFINITELY been a breeze.