Drink like an AMERICAN

Overall, no we aren’t snobbish about our drinking. It’s actually quite common that you’ll come across a group of men and women, well off, drinking cheap American beer. You can almost always find a Bud or Coors on tap. When tasting beers from around the world you wonder how in the H, we actually manage to enjoy this watery stuff and how we consume so much of it. I can almost guarantee ANY American get together will involve some type of Bud, Coors or Miller light and in a group of American’s at a bar at least 3 out of 5 will order one.

It’s a staple like Mcdonald’s and flip flops.
For more advanced American drinking try local breweries for better flavor, even if it isn’t the cheapest it’ll definitely make up for it in taste.

Drink like the SWISS

Sure, a white wine spritzer isn’t strictly a Swiss drink. In fact, I’ve had quite a few of them here in the states. However, ordering a the drink when you’re out clubbing or at a bar, isn’t that common. In Switzerland, that’s ALL ever single woman in any establishment I went into was sipping on. The club scene in Switzerland is pretty huge so you can imagine how many bottles of Sprite they must go through.
Now if you’re going hardcore, the drink most famous from Switzerland is, ABSINTHE. Originally created in Switzerland, Absinthe only recently became legal in the states and O! it is toxic.

Drink like the Belgians.

Finding a bar in Belgium that has more than two beer son tap, Leffe Blonde or Leffe Dark, is a pretty difficult task. Belgian’s are true foodies at heart, they lvoe to dine and they love to drink. Amen, no wonder I liked it there. It’s believed that in the middle ages beer was actually made at the monasteries! The shapes of the beer glasses are also different, like shown above a goblet style glass rather than what we’re used to in America. The goblet is so the drinker can inhale the smell of the beer to enhance it’s taste.
Also common: Lambic beers, such as the cherry Kriek beer. Lambics taste a little too much like Welchs soda for my taste, but it’s a fun change.

Drink like the IRISH

It really isn’t a cliche, the Irish do love their Guinness. More advance Irish drinkers will also go with Smithwicks. Even though it feels like a heavy drink it’s actually the same amount of calories as many light beers or a glass of milk! So try not to make it you “meal in a glass.” Also common in Ireland is their single malt whiskey. How about Bailey’s Irish Cream? Yep, that’s straight from Dublin and it isssss delicious.

Drink like a German

German’s are well known for their drinking skills, they do after all host one of the largest drinking festivals in the world, Oktoberfest. Which is really just a carnival for big kids. On my arrival to Germany my German friends picked me up from the train station with two open beers in hand, as a welcome. Now that’s what I call hospitality. The beer is bountiful and flowing in LARGE steins. The thing about drinking like a German is that it’s simply part of their culture. There are more breweries in Germany than any other country, except the United States. Try a Helles, this was definitely my favorite. Also common, beer with a splash of lemonade!

Drink like the Italians.......and the French

Ok, I’m going to let you hate me for about five minutes…..drumroll: I stayed at a Tuscan Vineyard and drank Italian wine all day for four days straight. Wow, I know, you’re so jealous. Back to the point, wine in Italy and in France is CHEAP. The best part about it, it’s cheap but it is still really incredible. In the States you could easily throw out a lot of dough for a great wine. Wine is part of the culture, with any meal you can expect to have at least a bottle with your dining partner. Ordering the house wine isn’t a bad idea, in fact, it was some of the BEST wine that I had.
Also common: Prosecco, Spumanti, Cava, Limoncello, APERATIVS, like happy hour Italian’s are HUGE on having a strong drink or two with olives and cheese before their meals.

STAY AWAY FROM THE GRAPPA. 80% alcohol is a bad idea, always.

Drink like.....an IDIOT.

Downing shots just never turns out well, the thing about it is; toasting shots and slamming them down is common, no matter what country you’re in. As long as you know the repercussions, making the “shot slamming” decision is up to you….you may pay for it in the morning.