Beer has been brewed in
Germany at least since
Roman times, although considering the accounts of
brewing in
Germania by contemporaries it's probably improved since then. These days, beer is very much a part of
German culture. Beer has been a part of politics in Germany at various stages. German states often regulated the price of beer, and the
Reinheitsgebot of 1516 is still in force today, despite disputes with the
EU. Kids often go for a drink after school. The cost of beer compared to the general
cost of living is apparently also very favourable.
Good
German beer is as good as good domestic beer, and, to be brutally honest, much better than anything the
septics or the
Belgians ever send over here. That said, Belgian beer, even
Stella Artois is not as bad as
American beer. However, despite the hype, the
Reinheitsgebot is not a guarantee of quality by any means. For a
weizen, try
Schoefferhoeffer, which is as good as
Redback. For a
Pilsener, try
Beck's. Avoid
Holsten.