Toasts

Posted by ESC on November 09, 2004

In Reply to: Toasts posted by Lewis 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.

: Lewis

:
: I found the following which may help you - but confirms that most toasts are spontaneous - only a few drinking toasts there:

: www.realbeer.com/ fun/toasts/beer_itself.php

: Lewis (again)

I like the Ben Franklin quote (from About.com): "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

• I Like Beer ESC 09/November/04
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