Yep, it’s that time of the year again – steins, lederhosen and giant pretzels. Oktoberfest is in full swing in Munich and we’re jealous!
On until 4th October, the festival is steeped in tradition from the ‘tapping’ of the first barrel with the softly spoken words ‘O’zapft is!’ on opening day to the traditional gun-salute on the steps of the Bavaria monument, it is definitely one festival to put on the list.
But if you can’t make it to Germany this year you might want to check out the selection of beers in other parts of the world.
You may be used to a VB when in Aus or a Bintang while holidaying in Bali.
However, did you know this popular drink of choice in many countries dons many faces?
We had no idea quite how different the beer-experience is – or quite how serious some nationalities take the cold malty brew.
Argentina
What to say: Una cerveza, por favor.
What you’ll get: A frosty glass of Quilmes, brewed in the Buenos Aires province.
Australia
What to say: A schooner (or a jug, or a pot, or a pony), please.
What you’ll get: A 15-ounce glass (if you order a schooner in New South Wales, but other areas have a whole bevy of local terms for their receptacles), filled with region-specific lagers like Queensland’s XXXX.
China
What to say: 请给我一杯啤酒 (Ching gay woh ee bay pee joh!)
What you’ll get: A frosty bottle of Tsingtao, the country’s main export brew.
Croatia
What to say: Jedno pivo, molim.
What you’ll get: Karlovačko, the Croatian national beer brewed locally in Karlovac.
Czech Republic
What to say: Jedno pivo, prosím.
What you’ll get: A mug of Pilsner Urquell, which often flows at rates cheaper than water.
France
What to say: Une bière, s’il vous plaît.
What you’ll get: A long-stemmed glass of Belgian brew, though craft beers are becoming wildly popular.
Germany
What to say: Ein Bier, bitte.
What you’ll get: A classic pint — hoppier in the North, sweeter in the South.
Ireland
What to say: One beer, please.
What you’ll get: A tall pint of — what else? — Guinness.
Italy
What to say: Una birra, per favore.
What you’ll get: A glass in which to pour your bottled Peroni Nastro Azzurro, made with Italian maize.
Japan
What to say: ビ一ルを一本下さい (Bee-ru ip-pon ku-da-sai).
What you’ll get: A bottled Asahi, Kirin or Sapporo, with a cup that your drinking partners will likely fill for you.
The Netherlands
What to say: Een bier, alsjeblieft.
What you’ll get: Classic Heineken, the brand born from a single Amsterdam brewery during the 1800s.
Russia
What to say: Пиво, пожалуйста (Ahd-na pee-vah pah-zha-loosta).
What you’ll get: A bottle from Baltika, the largest brewing company in Russia.
Spain
What to say: Una cerveza, por favor.
What you’ll get: A (very!) small glass, or caña, of Mahou or San Miguel.
This article has been adapted and originally appeared on Huffington Post.