Germany eating/drinking w/o alcohol?

Lots of people enjoy the delights of Germany Alcohol-free. They will even have de-alcoholized beer to try.

Some of us went out with a pregnant Crewmember and she didn't drink for that reason. She wasn't showing yet and didn't tell anyone she was pregnant at that point. She asked for de-alcoholized beer and had a great time. Nobody questioned it or seemed to care. She said the beer was pretty good, too!

As long as your Hubby is fine in that sort of setting, I'm sure you'll do just fine! :-)

Cheers,

F/A

Europe has an astonishing array of non-alcoholic drinks - the equivalent of flavored syrups with soda but much more developed. A lot of people in Europe drink non-alcoholic aperitifs and with dinner. I would think your husband would be more at ease in Europe than in many places in the States

My husband doesn't drink alcohol at all - he cannot abide the smell at all (thankfully he doesn't mind if I indulge :). He never got any funny looks at all ordering cokes, still water, etc.

Mineral water is a popular drink with meals in Germany. I've spent quite a bit of time with Germans (family, friends and business associates) and I can't recall a meal without mineral water on the table. Order a bottle of mineral water and no one would bat an eye. I don't like the really fizzy kind because it reminds me of Alka-Seltzer. I found I do enjoy the low fizz alternative. He can always order coke if he prefers (diet coke is coke light).

Usually acoholics need to avoid all alcohol so the "non-alcohol" beer isn't a good idea; it still has a very low alcohol content. Dijon mustards are made with white wine, so another product to avoid but I'm sure he knows all that.

To add to the comments about Coke Light, it's actually different and (to my taste buds) better than Diet Coke. Diet Coke uses aspartame as a sweetener. Coke Light uses cyclamates, which were banned in the US decades ago when lab rats were given insane amounts and developed cancer. Don't mean to scare you away from Coke Light, I just mean to inform. That was back in the days when anything could be banned for causing cancer in lab animals, no matter how unrealistic the amounts that were given to the animals. Before the ban on liquids in carry-ons, we even brought some Coke Light home, we liked it so much.

My wife and I do not drink and we have been to the Hofbrahaus and other such establishments for the experience of going to some historical sites. We also have visited friends in Germany and Holland who drink when we go out to eat but it did not bother us that they did nor did it bother them that we did not. We always enjoy our time with them. When we decline a drink we try to do so as graciously and in a way as to not offend those who offer. Tell your husband to visit those places he wishes and not to feel quilty about not cosuming alcohol during his trip. He will enjoy his time there and on the positive side look at the money he will save by not drinking.

The most popular dring with lunch or even dinner in Germany is apple juice spritzer (apple juice mixed with sparkling water). If you like it, just order an Apfelsaftschorle and you're fine. Coke, Fanta, Sprite are also available everywhere...

Hubby and I don't drink at all and spent a wonderful 17 days in Germany, most of the time in Bavaria. The food was great.

Thank you all so much...you have set my mind at ease...I think I will try some of the alternatives mentioned!