How To Order Beer In German: 6+ Easy Ways

Whether you're planning a trip to Germany, attending Oktoberfest, or just want to impress your German friends, knowing how to order beer in German is an essential skill. I mean, who wants to resort to pointing and awkward grunts when ordering, right?

In this article, I'll walk you through all the German beer vocabulary you need, from basic ordering phrases to different types of beer, sizes, and even drinking toasts. By the end, you'll be ready to order like a local!

How Do You Say Beer In German?

The German word for beer is Bier (pronounced "beer"), and it's a neuter noun taking the article "das" (das Bier). In the plural form, it becomes "die Biere" when referring to multiple beers or types of beer. You can also use "Gerstensaft" (literally "barley juice") as a colloquial, slightly humorous alternative that Germans sometimes use among friends.

• "Das Bier ist kalt." (The beer is cold.)
• "Ich trinke gerne deutsches Bier." (I like drinking German beer.)
• "Die verschiedenen Biere in Deutschland sollte man unbedingt probieren." (You should definitely try the different beers in Germany.)

German beer is celebrated worldwide for its quality and variety, largely due to the famous Reinheitsgebot (German Beer Purity Law) of 1516, which originally stated that beer could only contain water, barley, and hops (yeast was added later when its role was discovered).

Today, Germany boasts over 1,300 breweries producing more than 5,000 different brands of beer, making it a true beer paradise for enthusiasts.

How To Order Beer In German

In German movies and TV shows, you'll frequently encounter scenes where locals gather in Biergartens or Kneipen, ordering their favorite brews. If you pay close attention, you'll catch locals using the phrases I rounded up below.

Ein Bier, bitte.

Pronunciation: Ein beer, bit-tuh
Translation: A beer, please.
Breakdown: "Ein" (a/one) + "Bier" (beer) + "bitte" (please)

This is the most basic, universal phrase for ordering beer in Germany. It's short, simple, and works everywhere from dive bars to upscale restaurants. Germans appreciate directness, so this straightforward approach is perfect when you just want to get your order in without complications.

Ich hätte gern ein Bier

Pronunciation: Ikh het-tuh gern ein beer
Translation: I would like to have a beer.
Breakdown: "Ich" (I) + "hätte" (would have) + "gern" (gladly) + "ein" (a) + "Bier" (beer)

This polite form uses the subjunctive "hätte" (would have) instead of a direct command, making it slightly more formal but still very common. The "hätte gern" construction is useful for ordering anything in German, not just beer, so it's worth memorizing.

Ich nehme ein Bier

Pronunciation: Ikh nay-muh ein beer
Translation: I'll take a beer.
Breakdown: "Ich" (I) + "nehme" (take) + "ein" (a) + "Bier" (beer)

This direct approach shows confidence and is perfect for casual settings. The verb "nehmen" (to take) is commonly used when ordering in Germany and suggests you're making a choice from available options.

Könnte ich bitte ein Bier haben?

Pronunciation: Kernt-uh ikh bit-tuh ein beer hah-ben
Translation: Could I please have a beer?
Breakdown: "Könnte" (could) + "ich" (I) + "bitte" (please) + "ein" (a) + "Bier" (beer) + "haben" (have)

This is the most formal way to order and shows extra politeness. The subjunctive "könnte" (could) combined with "bitte" (please) makes this appropriate for upscale establishments or situations where you want to show respect.

Noch ein Bier, bitte

Pronunciation: Nokh ein beer, bit-tuh
Translation: Another beer, please.
Breakdown: "Noch" (still/another) + "ein" (a) + "Bier" (beer) + "bitte" (please)

Perfect for ordering your second (or third) round without having to repeat your full order. The word "noch" is key here, indicating you want an additional serving of what you already had.

Zum Mitnehmen, bitte

Pronunciation: Tsum mit-nay-men, bit-tuh
Translation: To go, please.
Breakdown: "Zum" (for the) + "Mitnehmen" (taking with) + "bitte" (please)

Add this phrase to any order if you want your beer to go. Unlike in many other countries, public drinking is legal in most places in Germany, so grabbing a beer to enjoy while walking around is completely normal!

Ordering Multiple Beers In German

When ordering more than one beer, you'll need to know your German numbers and how to modify your order:

• "Zwei Bier, bitte." (Tsvai beer, bit-tuh) - "Two beers, please."
• "Drei Bier, bitte." (Dry beer, bit-tuh) - "Three beers, please."
• "Vier Bier, bitte." (Fear beer, bit-tuh) - "Four beers, please."
• "Fünf Bier, bitte." (Fuenf beer, bit-tuh) - "Five beers, please."

Interestingly, Germans often drop the plural form "Biere" when ordering and simply use "Bier" regardless of quantity. However, you might also hear:

• "Zwei Biere, bitte." (Tsvai beer-uh, bit-tuh) - "Two beers, please."

If you're ordering for a group and want to specify different types:

• "Zwei Pils und ein Weißbier, bitte." (Tsvai pils unt ein vice-beer, bit-tuh) - "Two pilsners and a wheat beer, please."
• "Drei verschiedene Biere, bitte." (Dry fer-shee-den-uh beer-uh, bit-tuh) - "Three different beers, please."

How Do You Order Beer At Oktoberfest?

At Oktoberfest, the traditional and most effective German phrase is "Eine Maß, bitte!" (Ai-nuh Mass, bit-tuh) - "A Mass, please!" A Maß is the traditional one-liter beer mug used exclusively at Oktoberfest and in Bavarian beer gardens.

The servers (called Bedienungen) at Oktoberfest carry multiple one-liter mugs at once and move quickly through packed tents, so you need to be direct and loud. You must be seated at one of the long wooden tables before you can order, and it's smart to make a clear hand signal to catch a server's attention.

At Oktoberfest, each tent serves beer from a specific brewery, usually a special Oktoberfest brew called Festbier or Märzen, which at 6-7% alcohol is slightly stronger than regular beer. If you want to blend in like a true local, try saying "O'zapft is!" (It's tapped!) – the traditional phrase announced when the first keg is tapped to officially open Oktoberfest.

What Do Germans Say When Drinking Beer?

The most common German toast when clinking glasses is "Prost!" (Prohst) which also means "Cheers!" However, there are other ways to say cheers in German, including:

• "Zum Wohl!" (Tsum vohl) - "To your health!" A slightly more formal toast used in both casual and elegant settings.
• "Prosit!" (Pro-zit) - A more formal, traditional version of "Prost."
• "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit" (Ain pro-zit dair guh-moot-likh-kite) - "A toast to coziness/comfort" - this is actually a popular drinking song at Oktoberfest that everyone sings before a collective "Prost!"
• "Prost, Mahlzeit!" (Prohst, mahl-tsait) - A playful toast sometimes used before noon, acknowledging the early drinking hour.

German Beer Vocabulary

Types Of Beer In German

Germany has a rich variety of beer styles, each with distinctive characteristics and regional significance:

• Pilsner/Pils (pils-ner) - Germany's most popular beer style (accounting for 60% of beer sales), with a light gold color, pronounced hop bitterness, and a crisp, dry finish.
• Weißbier/Weizenbier (vice-beer/vite-sen-beer) - A cloudy wheat beer especially popular in Bavaria, characterized by its banana and clove flavor notes from special yeast, often served in tall, curved glasses.
• Helles (hell-us) - Meaning "bright" or "light," this Munich specialty is a mellow, malty lager with subtle hop character that's less bitter than Pilsner.
• Dunkel (doon-kul) - A traditional dark Munich lager with rich toasted and caramel flavors from the use of darker malts, surprisingly light-bodied despite its deep brown color.
• Schwarzbier (shvarts-beer) - "Black beer," the darkest German lager with coffee or chocolate notes, yet still remarkably clean and refreshing rather than heavy.
• Kölsch (koelsh) - A specialty from Cologne, this bright, clear, straw-colored beer is a unique hybrid between ale and lager, served in tiny 0.2L glasses called "Stangen."
• Altbier (alt-beer) - "Old beer," a copper-colored specialty from Düsseldorf, brewed using an older fermentation method with a perfect balance between malty sweetness and hop bitterness.
• Radler (rahd-ler) - Not a beer style but a 50/50 mix of beer (usually Helles) and lemonade, named after cyclists ("Radler" means cyclist) who wanted a refreshing but less alcoholic drink.

Beer Sizes In German

Germans have specific terms for different beer serving sizes, which vary by region:

• die Maß (dee mass) - The iconic one-liter mug served at Oktoberfest and in Bavarian beer gardens, pronounced with a long "a" sound.
• der Krug/der Seidel (dair kroog/zai-del) - A half-liter mug or stein, the standard serving size in most of Germany outside Bavaria.
• das Glas (dahs glahs) - A standard glass, which depending on the region and beer style could be 0.5L, 0.4L, or 0.3L.
• die Halbe (dee hal-buh) - Literally "the half," this Bavarian term refers to a half-liter of beer, despite being the standard full serving size in Bavaria.
• die Stange (dee shtan-guh) - A thin, tall 0.2L glass specifically for Kölsch in Cologne, where servers (Köbes) automatically bring new ones until you place a coaster over your glass.
• der Schnitt/das Handtuch (dair shnit/haunt-tukh) - A small beer (0.1-0.2L) for when you want just a taste or are finishing your night, literally meaning "the cut" or "hand towel."

To order a specific size, just say: "Ein/Eine [size] [type of beer], bitte." For example, "Eine Halbe Weißbier, bitte." (A half-liter of wheat beer, please.)

Basic German Drinking Vocabulary

Beyond beer-specific terms, here's some useful general drinking vocabulary:

• trinken (trink-en) - to drink
• ein Schluck (ain shlook) - a sip
• die Bar (dee bar) - bar
• die Kneipe (dee k-nai-puh) - pub
• der Biergarten (dair beer-gar-ten) - beer garden
• die Theke (dee tay-kuh) - counter/bar
• der Stammtisch (dair shtam-tish) - regular's table (reserved for locals)
• die Rechnung (dee rekh-noong) - the bill
• bezahlen (buh-tsah-len) - to pay
• Trinkgeld (trink-gelt) - tip
• Noch eine Runde! (nokh ai-nuh run-duh) - Another round!
• anstoßen (an-shtoh-sen) - to toast/clink glasses
• betrunken (buh-troonk-en) - drunk
• Ich bin durstig (ikh bin door-stikh) - I am thirsty
• Ich muss auf die Toilette (ikh moos owf dee twa-let-uh) - I need to use the bathroom (important after several beers!)

Learn More With Lingopie

With these phrases and vocabulary words, you're well-equipped to navigate the German beer scene like a local! Just remember that drinking beer in Germany is not just about the beverage itself but a social experience to be savored. Take your time, enjoy the atmosphere, and don't forget to say "Prost!" before your first sip.

Curious and want to learn more? With Lingopie, you can immerse yourself in German TV shows and movies where you'll hear natives ordering "ein Bier" and toasting with a hearty "Prost!" in real-world contexts. Thanks to it's set of advanced features, Lingopie helps you build confidence in your German skills while enjoying yourself.

Give Lingopie a try now!

FAQ

What is the Best Beer in Germany?

While "best" is subjective, many beer enthusiasts consider Augustiner Helles from Munich, Rothaus Tannenzäpfle Pilsner from the Black Forest, and Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier among Germany's finest brews. These beers consistently win international awards and represent the pinnacle of German brewing tradition.

What is the Most Popular Beer in Germany?

Pilsner (Pils) is by far the most consumed beer style in Germany, accounting for over 60% of the German beer market. The top-selling commercial brands include Krombacher, Oettinger, and Bitburger, which you'll find in supermarkets and bars throughout the country. Regional preferences exist too—for example, Kölsch dominates in Cologne, while wheat beer (Weißbier) is especially popular in Bavaria.

How Much Does Beer Cost in Germany?

In a typical German bar or restaurant, expect to pay between €3.50-€4.50 for a half-liter of draft beer, with prices in tourist areas and major cities like Munich or Berlin running slightly higher. Supermarket prices are much lower, with a half-liter bottle costing around €0.80-€1.20, making it an economical option. At Oktoberfest, beer is significantly more expensive, with a one-liter Maß currently costing around €12-€14.

Is it Customary to Tip When Ordering Beer in Germany?

Tipping for beer in Germany is common but more modest than in countries like the United States—usually rounding up to the nearest euro or adding about 5-10%. For a single beer costing €3.80, you might simply say "4 Euro" or "stimmt so" (keep the change) when paying. In busy beer gardens or bars where you order multiple rounds, consider tipping once at the end rather than with each beer.

Can You Drink Beer in Public in Germany?

Yes, public consumption of alcohol, including beer, is legal in most public spaces throughout Germany. You can freely enjoy a beer while walking down the street, relaxing in a park, or riding public transportation without legal consequences. This open drinking culture is one aspect of German life that surprises many visitors, though it's still considered impolite to be visibly intoxicated in public despite the permissive laws.