What to drink in Germany

I don't like American beer either (with the exception of some microbreweries). But German beer is one of the best anywhere. Of course they have soda/Coke but is probably more expensive than beer. They also sell nonalcoholic beer. Nowadays it tastes almost like real beer. It is usually drunk by drivers. Alcohol limit is not so generous like in this country. They also have excellent white wine mainly from Mosel area.

I don't like beer and have been to Germany on three occasions and had no problem ordering soda. The only problem I had was ordering wine on the first floor of the Hofbräuhaus in Munich. They politely told me that if I wanted wine, I would have to go to the second floor and drink it there. In some places, soda was more expensive than beer comparing the amount you get for the price.

You can always go with wine, or you might enjoy a radler - half beer and half lemon soda. It sounds weird but it's really refreshing and much less filling than a beer.

Thank you everyone! The beer/lemonade mixture might be a good way to go for me. I promise to give it a chance! :-)

I am not a beer drinker either. Sometimes in Germany I drink the Radler mentioned above (beer and lemon lime soda.) iIt is actually a pretty good, especially when there is more soda and less beer. I also enjoy wine in Germany, and often get just water. I have never had a problem finding soda or ordering soda, but it is expensive there.

IMHO, drink what you want. No one will be offended if you don't drink the local specialty. I try to eat/drink the local offerings but that is just me. I even drank tea in England. The main point (to me) of a trip is to enjoy yourself.

Please don't be concerned about not drinking beer (or wine) in Germany. I spend lots of time there and have several German friends who do not drink alcohol. There is always mineral water with or without carbonation. Coke is widely available, but expensive. Fruit juice is another good choice.
Let me assure you that no one will be offended if you don't drink beer. I hate beer and always have a good time in Germany.
When you are there, you should eat and drink whatever suits you. You will not be judged.
Have a good trip.

We hate beer and never drink it, not even in Germany. Of course you can get water, soft drinks,wine, juice and more in Germany. Never feel obligated to consume anything to keep from offending anyone. No one has a right to be offended by your choice not to drink. We generally don't drink alcohol at all either and no one is offended. Just turn down any offered and say you do not consume alcohol.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the ubiquitous Spezi, a mixture of cola and orange soda. I drank the beer and the wine when I lived in Germany, but I more often chose a sparkling water or Spezi.

I haven't been in Germany since 2011, so by now they may also have the Lipton iced tea made with sparkling water I first had in Belgium in 2013.

There are many options other than alcohol.

Pop is as widely available here as there. Just that many people see pop as an unhealthy drink as opposed to juices, water, or beer, often called Liquid Bread.

I don't drink beer and no one has every cared. You will never offend anyone with your drink choice. Ever.

You may be surprised by how much wine is drunk here rather than beer, though it does depend on where you are going. It is always on the menu though. Lots of different juices too, like cherry, banana, pear, or passion fruit. They may ask you if you want it pure or as a "Schörle". This means 1/3 bubble water, 2/3 juice.

In Hessen, which would include Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, etc. the drink of choice is Applewine which is a sour, alcoholic apple cider.

I thought beer was compulsory in Germany? Please don't tell my wife it is optional.

Hi,

I find German beer (both dark and Helles) the absolute best, but often times I don't want a beer at a meal, even ein Kleines then mostly I ask for a mineral water with the carbonation, or a juice, most likely a Black Currant or apple juice. No coke or soda pop. on early trips it was a Fanta. Drink what you are comfortable with. Aside from juice and mineral water, there's the non alcoholic Brause.

mel,

I doubt that anyone will care or think less of you for not having a beer, so just drink what you're comfortable with. However if you do want to try beer, there are lots of different types to choose from. I've often enjoyed the Wheat Beer in Munich. Germany also has an excellent wine industry (especially whites such as Reisling), so that's another option. I enjoy the Gewürztraminer which is also produced in my home area.

What to eat in the US? I generally don't eat burgers but I'm worried about offending people and would be fine with the occasional burger, but honestly, I don't really like it.

;-)

mph,
It's compulsory. If she doesn't believe you, tell her to PM me and I'll back you up 100%.
We gotta stick together.

Drink mineral water with gas or whatever you want. Nobody cares. After a Maß or two you will like the Bier ; ) So many types of Bier you will find one you like. Maybe stick to a Helles Bier. It is sweeter and not so bitter. Some of the dark Bier is like drinking liquid bread. The first wheat Bier (Weizenbier) I had years ago I thought that there was something wrong with it because of the funny taste! Now it is one of my favorites on a hot summer day. My Frau drinks coffee and Mineralwasser at the Zoigl-Stuben here in the Oberpfalz, while I am drinking this great local Kommunbier. No worries...

I second Jo's recommendation for a Schörle. It has the nice sparkle of a soda, but because it's just diluted juice, it doesn't taste so sickeningly sweet. Apfelschörle became my go-to rehydration drink after a long hike.

You didn't say where in Germany you plan to visit, but if near Austria, look out for Almdudler. I'm not sure what exactly it's supposed to be, but it tastes like one of the most delicious ginger ales you could imagine.

We spent a week in Oberwiesenthal, a town in Saxony (southeastern Germany) 3 years ago. Bottled water was as if not more expensive than beer at our hotel. Hotel staff was reluctant to provide free tap water.

A few days ago, I celebrated my birthday in Germany in a bar when the big soccer match between BvB Dortmund and Juventus Turin was on. I had red wine, my brother and his girl friend had hot chocolate (he was driving, she was fighting a cold). Lots of beer drinking around us but no weird looks for us ordering something different. Not even when I asked for tap water to go along with my wine ;-)

Almdudler is a soft drink flavored with herbs. It does not contain ginger. Very common in Austria as is soda in general. My drink of choice is a soda zitrone, which is soda water with generous fresh squeezed lemon juice. It has no sugar; not sure what it is called in Germany.

Soda actually tastes better to me in Germany because some (or maybe even most of it) is made with sugar and not high fructose corn syrup. You'll get a glass with 2-3 small ice cubes in it and many times the soda will be room temperature. Many times I will ask for an additional glass with only ice cubes in it. Most times they'll oblige, although I know they're muttering under their breath 'silly Americans...'

If you're traveling to Germany, you have to drink a beer, at least one. Having new experiences is part of international travel, right?

So many replies and so much helpful information - thank you all very much!

re: Almdudler: If you're in Berlin there is Fassbrause which is very similar (if less sweet) to Almdudler.

re:

because some (or maybe even most of it) is made with sugar and not
high fructose corn syrup

The German government (through the EU) subsidizes sugar beet farmers instead of corn farmers like the US government does, which means that all German soda is made with sugar. It's cheaper that way.

I found that when you order tap water together with another drink people are quite obliging. Mind you, what you get is a glass of lukewarm tap water with no ice, though often served in a wine glass ;-) Perfectly fine with me, I just need to have a drink of water when I have coffee or wine/beer to keep from getting dehydrated.

I'll give a third vote for Schorle (Apfel-, Orangen-, Rhabarber-, Johannisbeer- oder Holunderschorle, they are all good). I like it so much I make them at home all the time now.

DJ

It's just a myth that Germans only drink beer. A lot of people don't like it and prefer Apfesaftschorle (apple juice spritzer) or a Diet Cola, a Fanta. You will find Fanta, Cola and even the mix of the two, often referred to as Spezi or Kalter Kaffee or Schwipp Schwapp...

Also Germans has got some of the best natural mineral waters in the world - and we love to drink them cold and sparkling. They come with 0 calories, 0 sugars, 0 fat... obviously.