The German Beer Boot- The History, Game, and How to Drink from It

I remember the first time I saw the German Beer Boot. I was 18 years old in Heidelberg, and a group of friends and I were at a Gasthaus where a Beer Boot competition was taking place. I’m happy to report that my Texan friend won hands down (several times). His prize? a Beer Boot to take home!

But I did wonder. Why? How? WHAT possessed anyone to drink from a boot? And what came first as a drinking vessel, the glass boot or the actual boot that someone’s foot was in??? Ick!!

So I did a little digging. There is a story behind it (of course, there is). And I learned the rules for playing with your German Beer Boot! Qarning, there is some drinking involved. But even MORE importantly, is learning how to drink from it without getting all wet. Best of all, I found out where to get your OWN Beer Boot for your home bar! Or maybe get one for that special friend with the hollow leg, like my buddy,  Cuddles. (and now I’m off to dig through the attic for the photo album of that trip!)

German Beer Boot History

Over a century ago, according to legend, a Prussian general promised his troops that he would drink beer from his boot if they won a battle. But after they did, good sense prevailed, and the general saved his boot leather (and avoided the unpleasant flavor of feet in his beer) by asking a local glass maker to create a boot shaped beer glass. Soldiers have been celebrating victory with a beer boot ever since.

Another story tells that in WWI, before battle, German Soldiers would share a last beer that they passed around in a boot, because they didn’t have a glass. This story makes no sense to me because:
1. Why didn’t they just pass around the bottle of beer?
2. No German soldier would be stupid enough to get his boot soaking wet before a cold battle.
3. It’s just icky.

The German Glass Beer Boot Mug Drinking Challenge

Is it a glass? Is it a mug? Is it a boot? Who cares! As long as there is beer in it! In recent years, the Beer Boot has become a drinking challenge or game. Remember, if it is your turn to drink, always point the tip of the boot UP until you have reached the bottom, then rotate… otherwise you could end up with a face full of beer.

Beer Boot Game Rules

Get a Boot of Beer and a circle of friends around the table and play…Take a good long swig of the Beer (no whimpy little sips), and pass it along.

1. The Boot must travel around the table clockwise.
2. The boot may not be put down… it must be passed along… or you have to drink again.
3. Some places have a rule that says you must flick the boot with your finger before passing it along… or drink again.
4. You must drink with the toe UP, or you must drink again. (Yes, this gets tricky.)
5. If you get splashed in the face, you must drink again (and then you may dry off)
6. The person who drank BEFORE the person who finished must buy the next round. (Obviously, if you are drinking with the guy who can guzzle a boot full of beer, you don’t want to be handing off to him. Move, or you will be buying A LOT)

Never never never clink Beer boots or slam them to the table… they could break! Then you are not only buying a new round, you will be buying a new Beer Boot!

If Myrna Loy can down a boot of beer…. you can too

Find the German Beer Boot here…

There are many to choose from!

Bierdeckel USA – Das Boot – Oktoberfest Rustic Tavern Beer Stein – Glass Beer Boot (0.5 L Das Boot)Spaten 1 Liter Das Boot Glass XL Mug

Deutschland Beer BootStolzle Bierstiefel One Liter Glass Beer Boot2 Liter Beer Boot Glass Set – Oktoberfest Beer Boots – Set of 2 – MyGiftChefcaptain Boot Mug Set of 2 Huge 1 Liter Glass Beer Mugs Drinking Glasses, Clear, 1 Liter

HB Hofbräuhaus München King Werk KI 1000174 Hofbräuhaus Munich HB Glass Boots 0.5 Litres

Where to Buy a Personalized Beer Boot

Whether you are buying a Beer Boot for yourself… or as a gift (maybe for drinking buddies or grooms men, there are several engraving styles to choose from.

Custom Engraved 1 Liter Beer BootGlass Beer Boot, different Engraving styles

Mini Shot Glass Boots

Surely you can finish these in one go!

Mini Glass Boot 3 Pack Shot Glasses Standard