Beer Garden Etiquette for the European Traveler

From the May/June 2008 issue of DRAFT magazine

If you’re traveling through Europe this summer, spending time at an authentic, Austrian beer garden is a must.  Beer gardens are a foretaste of heaven, where the sun always shines and everyone is your friend.  But to avoid looking like a tourist, you’ll need to follow the rules.  The May/June issue of Draft magazine offers tips on the proper beer garden etiquette:

·        Don’t feel violated if strangers ask to sit at your table.  It’s customary for patrons to fill up empty seats at an occupied table.

·        Don’t hold your liter-mug (called a “mass”) by the handle.  Slip your whole hand inside the handle for better control.

·        Know where to sit.  Large beer gardens have one section for self-service and picnics (yes, you can bring your own food).  Table service is provided where you see chairs and/or tablecloths.  Don’t carry beer or food to these tables, or you will be scolded.

·        Be ready to order.  Servers are busy and will walk away if you don’t know what you want.

·        Be ready to pay.  Servers will open their change purse on the table, add up the beers, and bark out a total.  They expect payment on the spot.

·        Tip about 5 percent by rounding up, and hand the tip to the server.  Don’t leave it on the table.

·        Don’t be unruly!  Beer gardens are family places, so don’t be surprised to find yourself sitting among grandmothers with strollers and families picnicking after church.

·        Left means “go,” right means “stop.”  Bachelors should note that a single fräulein knots her dimdl apron on the left, married on the right.

·        Look them in the eye and drink.  When toasting, it’s rude to set your beer down or not look each person in the eye before drinking.