German Culture: Food, Festivals & Beer!

German culture, history and traditions have had a profound impact not only on the country itself, but also on the rest of the world, shaping everything from philosophy and music to science and technology. From its delicious food and world-famous beer to its colourful festivals and celebrations, Germany offers a unique and exciting experience to everyone who visits or lives there. For expats living in Germany, or for those considering moving to this vibrant country, getting to know the local culture can be a great way to immerse yourself in the local community and feel more at home. In this blog, we will explore some of the most exciting aspects of German culture, including its famous beer, delicious food and vibrant festivals, to help you discover what makes this country such a special and fascinating place.

German Culture: Food!

Sauerkraut and Bratwurst must be the names that come to your mind when you think about German cuisine regarding desserts, delicious Black Forest Cherry Cake and bread, lots and lots of bread. Every region of this country has its type of bread. Germans are great fans of hearty meals like pork, meat, and poultry. Do you know the average amount of meat consumed by a German? It’s 72 pounds! If you love to have a hearty meal, then get ready to be impressed by German food. Germany has some of the best continental cuisine restaurants that serve the best noodles, pasta, and cheesy bread with sausages. Eating traditional German food and maintaining calories can be difficult. Still, nowadays, traditional cuisine has been revised with a healthier version.

What do Germans eat throughout their day?

Their daily routine consists of 3 basic meals. The day starts with a delicious breakfast that generally comprises various bread rolls, toast, Brötchen, Semmeln, Schrippen, Wecken, or Rundstücke with fruit jams. The primary food treat of Germans is for Lunch (Mittagessen). The main meal for the day comprises pork, egg recipes, bread with various spreads, meat, etc. Vegetables are eaten as a side dish or in a stew. Potatoes being the most used vegetable by Germans, are not considered a vegetable in Germany.

Famous Food Facts of Germany

With an 81 million population, Germany is famous for a lot of things. Germany is the major beer exporter, whether it’s cars, castles, or bread, covered with forest land in most parts. Yes, beer. Almost every region of this country has its beer and bread flavour. With culinary cuisine, Germans have explored beer as no other country has. This is the only country having a law for the beer industry. Interesting, isn’t it?  

Enjoy eating?? Celebrate it with German food festivals

If you are visiting Germany, then you will never have enough German food and beer. Five primary food and beer festivals are being celebrated every year. Germany celebrates the world’s largest wine festival hosted by the southwestern spa town of Bad Dürkheim in September, where more than 300 types of wine are served in 9 days. Not only this, Oktoberfest is the daddy of all beverage festivals. This grand fest is held in Munich for 16 days in September and October. They tap the first barrel of beer on the first day, and a procession of people with flowers and beer barrels walk through the city. Thousands of people participate in parades with bands and props. People wear different Bavarian attire, and more than 30 tents are placed to give you the best experience. It’s best to book your favourite tent in advance.   If you are not fond of drinks but want to eat something new and delicious, you can attend long live potatoes and Kale. As the name sounds, Potato is included in almost every Germans’ recipe, and they do have their ways to thank their favourite food. This festival is celebrated on the Usedom Island in September, where all dishes of Potato are served. After a few days, you will see Kale in the environment. If you plan to visit Germany, then pack your bags and do not forget to keep antacids with you because this place will give you primary food goals.

German Culture: Festivals!

German culture is famous for its many colourful festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year. From the world-famous Oktoberfest to the colourful carnival celebrations, there is always something exciting going on in Germany. Attending these festivals is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture, meet new people and have a lot of fun. Here are three of the most famous festivals that you definitely don’t want to miss: Oktoberfest: This is perhaps the most famous festival in Germany and is held annually in Munich. The festival celebrates Bavarian culture, with lots of traditional food, music and of course beer. Visitors can also enjoy rides and games, as well as parades and other cultural events. Carnival: Carnival is a festive season that takes place in the run-up to Lent and is particularly popular in the Rhineland. Celebrations usually include parades with elaborate floats, costumes and masks, as well as plenty of food and drink. Each city has its own traditions, so it’s worth visiting different places to experience carnival in all its diversity. Christmas markets: During the Christmas season, Germany is famous for its traditional Christmas markets, which can be found in towns and cities all over the country. These markets are full of food, drink and handmade crafts and offer a festive atmosphere that is hard to beat. Among the most popular markets are those in Nuremberg, Dresden and Cologne.  

German Culture: Beer!

The Germans did no longer invent beer. Already 13,000 years ago, even before the agricultural revolution, some folks in the Middle East found that roasted grain soaked in water made a fine-tasting, nourishing, barely alcoholic drink. Recent archaeological excavations in place of Haifa, Israel, discovered the remnants of a historic brewery. Eventually, slightly alcoholic, ‘liquid bread’ became a staple drink in almost all cultures worldwide.   German cloisters have been producing fine beer for mass consumption for ages because around the first millennium’s case, the 12 months a thousand. The beer-producing monasteries have been predominantly located in Southern Germany. Some of them are still around today, such as Kloster Andechs, St. Gallen, Weihenstephan, or Weltenburg. Drinking beer back then used to be safer than consuming water. Beer was once viewed as safe, nutritious, and caloric, even desirable for small children (and it kept them quiet, too). After the introduction of the Beer Purity Law, it has become prevalent among people.

What’s precisely Beer Purity Law? Let’s get cracking on it.

There was a time when beer was cheaper than water in Germany. Bars were having a direct contract with breweries. These breweries had a supply contract with bars which means they have to reach a minimum beer supply threshold to make the contract work. The more beer sold, the more incentive and profit. This greed for profit compromised the quality of beer being produced. In 1516, with beer’s increasing popularity among people, a law was established to ensure beer’s purity. Many manufacturers had started adding anything to beer barrels. Mixing was done to lower the cost and increase profit by putting people’s lives at stake as the beer became unhealthy and even poisonous. At first, the Beer Purity Law was enacted in Bavarian, a city of Ingolstadt. This law mandated that the production of beer should only use Barley, Hops, and Water. The significance of yeast was not known at that time; it was added later on. By 1906, this law was implemented in all breweries in Germany and gained popularity among people. This law also produced 7000 different flavours and beer types as natural flavouring agents like petals were allowed. Beer became so popular in Germany after the beer purity law that it is considered a caloric, safe and nutritious drink safe for children. Some of the famous beers being produced by Germans are:

• Pilsner
• Larger
• Witbier
• Kölsch
• Dunkel
• Bock
• Helles
• Märzen
• Altbier

Germany is a country with a rich and fascinating culture that has something to offer everyone. Whether you want to sample world-famous beers and delicious cuisine or immerse yourself in vibrant festivals and celebrations, Germany has it all. As an expat living in Germany or considering a move there, exploring the local culture is a great way to feel at home and connect with the local community. By attending festivals such as Oktoberfest or exploring the delicious local cuisine, you can become more familiar with the unique cultural heritage of this incredible country. So why not pack your bags and experience the wonders of German culture for yourself with a glass of chilled beer? You won’t be disappointed!