Toasts

Posted by Lewis on November 09, 2004

In Reply to: Beer posted by stefan on November 09, 2004

: Hello;
: I'm looking for an english equivilent of the german phrase "Hopfen und Malz, Gott erhalt's" . Something that asks that hops and malt may still exist for a long time.
: thanks in advance
: stefan

Hi
as a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers, I feel it my duty to reply.

There are various toasts used around Britain and indeed some of the best are from Ireland. I have a whole book of toasts at home, but not in this office. Off the top of my head, I cannot recall any English toast that is the equivalent to your one, which I have heard used, but only untranslated: the translation into the English idiom would be "God save hops and malt!"

Most toasts are spontaneous in England and not very wide-spread.

Being irreverent, some may toast by saying such things as "to the head-brewer! may his wort never clear up!" (a pun - "wort" being the early-stage liquid in beer-making and "wart" a skin blemish)

I'll see if my materials have anything.