Friends of Bill

[NMMatt]

Curious if there any others and what you plan to do about the whole biergarten scene?

[Ultra Peanut]

Curious if there any others and what you plan to do about the whole biergarten scene?

Not one of your pals, but I am a teetotaler who's twice been to Germany and Austria, including beer halls. The procedure is to ask for lemonade (you'll get your choice of soft drink), then pour it into a beer mug, and continue to socialize. Do not be the dumbass tourist who drinks straight from the bottle with a straw. Beer halls really aren't all about WOOO MAN LET'S GET WASTED so much as they are about hanging out and socializing, so depending on how confident you feel about situations like that where alcohol is served, you'll either settle in with your buddies or you may want to avoid them entirely. The bars I've been to--specifically in Berlin--tended to be more "coffeehouse" kinda atmosphere, where nobody much cared that I asked for a kirschsaft instead of the heiffewiezen everyone else was getting.

I'm sure it'll also depend heavily on your traveling companions; if you're with others who're sympathetic if not like-minded, you'll be fine. My previous travels have been with people who drink lightly, if at all, so it wasn't like my vacations were structured pub crawls.

You'll be okay.

[jamison]

Is Kirschsaft german for lemonade?

Also, anyone know how to say 'natural water' (e.g., water w/o gas) in German?

Danke.

[Ultra Peanut]

Is Kirschsaft german for lemonade?

No, "kirschsaft" is "cherry juice." My usual order in US bars is cranberry juice, especially since as a Rev fan I can't be seen ordering a Red Bull anymore. ;) Note that "saft" part is kinda important 'cause just ordering a "kirsch" might get you the liquer of the same name.

Plain ol' still water is Leitungswasser, as opposed to Mineralwasser.

[Beantowner]

You'll have no trouble. I've lived/travelled extensively in Europe. My Friends of Bill often enjoyed something other than the bier I enjoyed. As long as you're comfortable, no harm, no foul. However, steer away from some of the bigger biergartens (e.g., Hofbrauhaus in Munich). There are better biergartens that are equally fun, less touristy, and don't attract as many loud, drunken booze hounds.

Keep in mind, most western Germans under 40 understand some English or speak it relatively to very well. However, consider bringing a phonetic German guide. Most major tourist books have the basics, including Frommer's or Fodor's or guides catering lower cost travelers such as Lonely Planet, Let's Guide, and Rough Guide). Alternatively, go to this online German-English dictionary and look up a few key words http://dict.tu-chemnitz.de/ Here's a few helpful words/phrases:

Cola = Cola, but some Europeans call any soda ___coke, e.g., Orangencola (orange soda).
Limonade (lee-mon-ade) = soda (or similar to Citronilla)
Apfelsaft (Ahp-fell-saft) = apple juice (not as sweet as US AJ)
Apfelsaftschorle = apple juice spritzer (AJ with tonic/soda water)
Orangensaft (Or-ron-jen-saft)= OJ (rarely as sweet as US OJ)
Fruchtsafe (frookt-saft) = fruit juice
Mineralwasser (mineral-vah-suh) = mineral water
alkoholfrei Getränk or alkoholisches frei Getränk = alcohol free beverage/drink
alcohol fry guh-trank alcohol-lisch fry guh-trank
Keep it simple ==> NEIN alcohol (9 alcohol); bad Germany, but they'll understand

Getränke = beverages
Haben Sie alkoholfrei Getränk? Do you have no alcohol drinks?
Hah-ben see alcohol fry guh-trank
Iced tea is rarely available, don't bather asking unless you want to get a "weird look"

As long as you're fine in the States, you'll enjoy yourself in Germany. Go have fun!

[NMMatt]

You'll have no trouble. I've lived/travelled extensively in Europe. My Friends of Bill often enjoyed something other than the bier I enjoyed. As long as you're comfortable, no harm, no foul. However, steer away from some of the bigger biergartens (e.g., Hofbrauhaus in Munich). There are better biergartens that are equally fun, less touristy, and don't attract as many loud, drunken booze hounds.

Keep in mind, most western Germans under 40 understand some English or speak it relatively to very well. However, consider bringing a phonetic German guide. Most major tourist books have the basics, including Frommer's or Fodor's or guides catering lower cost travelers such as Lonely Planet, Let's Guide, and Rough Guide). Alternatively, go to this online German-English dictionary and look up a few key words http://dict.tu-chemnitz.de/ Here's a few helpful words/phrases:

Cola = Cola, but some Europeans call any soda ___coke, e.g., Orangencola (orange soda).
Limonade (lee-mon-ade) = soda (or similar to Citronilla)
Apfelsaft (Ahp-fell-saft) = apple juice (not as sweet as US AJ)
Apfelsaftschorle = apple juice spritzer (AJ with tonic/soda water)
Orangensaft (Or-ron-jen-saft)= OJ (rarely as sweet as US OJ)
Fruchtsafe (frookt-saft) = fruit juice
Mineralwasser (mineral-vah-suh) = mineral water
alkoholfrei Getränk or alkoholisches frei Getränk = alcohol free beverage/drink
alcohol fry guh-trank alcohol-lisch fry guh-trank
Keep it simple ==> NEIN alcohol (9 alcohol); bad Germany, but they'll understand

Getränke = beverages
Haben Sie alkoholfrei Getränk? Do you have no alcohol drinks?
Hah-ben see alcohol fry guh-trank
Iced tea is rarely available, don't bather asking unless you want to get a "weird look"

As long as you're fine in the States, you'll enjoy yourself in Germany. Go have fun!

Thanks. Very useful advice.

[jamison]

Word, thanks guys.

[christopher d]

I'm also a friend of Bill, and one who's been to Germany many, many times (although sadly, not this month). I've not done the Biergarten circuit, but if you're interested in a more general run-down on sobriety as a tourist among a culture that considers beer a food, shoot me a PM, and I'll be glad to help out.

Enjoy :)