The Dogma of the German Beer
I’ve been thinking about reasons to study German language. I could contemplate the history of the language itself, or the fact that it is spoken in more than 7 countries. I could also consider its importance in fields such as art, after all, it is the language of Mozart and Wagner; and philosophy through the likes of Nietzsche and Hegel. I could also appreciate its complexity as a bonus. If the main reason to learn a language is to exercise the brain then there is hardly a better option than German with its three genders, two numbers, weak and strong verbs, and of course four cases for nouns. As languages go it really is the cross-fit alternative to just going to the gym.
What does beer have to do with language learning?
If you ask me, languages tend to stick more when you have an emotional attachment to them. For example, people who study Spanish because they enjoy salsa dancing are way more likely to stick to it since every time they go out dancing they will feel incentivised to keep on studying and every time they study they will feel connected to an activity they already love. If you study Japanese because of your love of manga then whenever you watch an anime your excitement to understand more phrases will keep you driven, and whenever you practice the language your bond with Goku and Naruto will make it all the more worthwhile.
So my main reason for studying German if I had to give one would be my love for beer.
I am very well aware the Germans are not the only people to make great beer. Hell, they were not even the first ones. But after even dipping ones toes on the relationship between Germans and beer it becomes quite clear that no one does beer like the Germans.
Let’s talk about a bit of beer history!
Starting with Reinheitsgebot. This was law instated in the 1500’s in Bavaria. It regulated the price of beer as well as the use of ingredients. This law stated that only water, barley, and hops were allowed in the making of beer. Around the 1900’s with the full unification of Germany this law was adopted throughout the whole country. With time changes have been made to it, so it now includes a more ample range of ingredients such as yeast, sugar, and a wider variety of malted grains. Nowadays this law has become a labeling standard as opposed to the brewing law it used to be. But I think it says a lot about a country that they were the first to install a law that would protect the quality and affordability of their beer.
We also need to consider Oktoberfest, an 18-day-long festival dedicated just to beer. Did you know that this is only one of several beer festivals celebrated in Germany? Being the biggest one it has become the most popular internationally. Sadly it was canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic. But I am happy to report that it is coming back this September.
So with all this info it’s pretty obvious that the best way to learn about Germany is through their beer. I’m not saying that by drinking these amazing examples of German culture you will achieve your language learning goals faster. But if they will keep you motivated then it definitely cannot hurt the cause.
Prost!
Author
China Gonzalez