4 Unwritten German Beer Garden Rules American Tourists Break Within The First 10 Minutes

There are a few undeniable truths about Germany: It truly is the land of beautiful castles, the locals take their beer very seriously, and they've never met a rule they didn't love to follow. Combining that rule-following instinct with their love of beer, and it makes sense that Germany's famous beer gardens have a certain etiquette to follow. 

Beer gardens are a must for any visitor in Germany, especially in Munich, the capital of beautiful Bavaria with the best beer scene you'll find in Europe. Not only are beer gardens one of the best ways to drink with the German locals — key for cheaper alcohol while in Europe — they're also an integral feature of the culture. There's even a law establishing their importance, the Bavarian Beer Garden Ordinance of 1999. 

The beer gardens of Bavaria are such a beloved tradition that they attract a whole lot of tourists. And unfortunately, tourists tend to break certain beer garden rules and customs ingrained with locals, sometimes within the first 10 minutes of arriving. Some rules are clear, like the law that every beer garden must close by 11 p.m. (stated in the Beer Garden Ordinance of '99). However, many of these rules, or Biergarten Knigge in German, are unwritten, including the following four. Avoid these in your favorite Bavarian beer gardens so you can fully take advantage of these cozy, convivial spaces and avoid becoming an annoying tourist while visiting Europe!

When you enter a beer garden, you'll immediately be struck by the relaxed, lively atmosphere. Bavaria as a whole is known for gemütlichkeit, or coziness, and nowhere is this more evident than at a beer garden. Beer gardens are such a hub for the community that the Beer Gardens Ordinance of '99 states that they "fulfill important social and communicative functions, enabling a casual coexistence that transcends social differences" (via Simply Munich). That doesn't necessarily mean you can just sit anywhere: Many of the tables are reserved for regulars. These are known as Stammtische in German; keep an eye out for a "Stammtisch" sign before you claim the table.

However, don't let other people at a table deter you if there are no signs. Beer gardens are designed to have communal seating, so chances are, you'll be sharing your table. Before you sit, ask politely if the spot is free ("Ist hier frei?"). And don't forget to toast your neighbors — more on this below!

Whenever you're going out for drinks or dinner in a new country, it's just good manners to learn the local word for "cheers." In Germany, that's "prost!" But there's more to it than just the word: Eye contact with every single person you're toasting is essential. Otherwise you'll curse yourself to seven years of bad luck...or bad sex. (Same thing?) Pro tip: Toasting with water is also bad luck in Bavaria!

And don't expect just one toast at the beginning and then you're done; it's customary to toast 10 times per stein in a beer garden. This is thought to keep the beer foamy and fresh. It's also good manners to toast everyone at your table, even if they're strangers. They may be strangers no longer after that tenth toast! Since the steins can be quite hefty (especially after a few toasts), it's best to clink the bottom of the glasses and set the glass down briefly before you sip.

Americans can get shocked at the ubiquitousness of alcohol in many European cities. Beer gardens! Wine at playgrounds! No open container laws! But that doesn't mean locals are constantly stumbling around, inebriated. Often it's the tourists who end up over-imbibing... so don't be THAT guy (or girl, or person). It's an unspoken rule about drinking alcohol in Europe that most people are savoring and sipping, rather than binge drinking.

Another reason Americans tend to over-imbibe in Germany is that many local beers have a much higher alcohol content. You'll notice the stronger, fuller taste when drinking a German beer for the first time, but they still go down a little too easy. And at Bavarian beer gardens, beer is almost always served in a traditional stein, or Maß, which holds a liter of beer (about two pints). Pace yourself, drink the occasional water, and make sure to sample Bavarian cuisine as you drink: Try a brezn (pretzel) dipped in obatzda, a classic Bavarian cheese spread. Immersing yourself even further in the culture by sampling tasty German specialties while sipping that beer? Win win!

When it comes to awkward etiquette mistakes tourists should avoid when going out drinking in Europe, or specifically Bavaria, this one goes against instinct for many Americans (or Canadians or Brits). Don't finish your beer! Seriously — it's okay to leave a few sips at the bottom of your glass in Germany, and don't be surprised when your glass is whisked away before it's empty. 

It's widely accepted at Bavarian beer gardens that the last few sips are flat and just plain gross — there's even a Bavarian term for it: "Noagerl." So no need to chug it or see it down, especially when it comes to those last dregs, and especially not if you want to avoid being labeled a "Noagerlzuzler." No one wants to be that person who noisily slurps those last flat sips, which usually are kind of gross, anyway. Maybe this is one Bavarian custom we should adapt worldwide?