I'm an expat American. I think there is a third group involved also: Americans (living in America) who lived in Germany for a while or did some traveling here and still have fond memories. I know there are some beers and some pubs that I will miss when I eventually go back.
American who lived in Germany for 7+ years. Wife is German (from Braunschweig) and her entire family (parents, siblings, etc.) all still live there. Because I'm pretty good at imitating sounds, people over there frequently think I am German. Sometimes I suspect that my in-laws believe I'm actually a German pretending to be American...especially as they seem to expect me to view the world and its rules exactly as they do
That means you must follow all rules no matter how silly or inefficient? That means you always come up with questions whose first answer is "but it's not so simple," or worse? That means you are not worried about "what the neighbors will think?" Did I miss anything?
Ok, I'll come clean. Dad was GI in early 60's, married a German woman, was born in Germany, lived 90% of my life State-side while doing the occasional summer with my mom's family in Germany. Spent a year in the mid-80s at a German uni, where I spoke no English for 18 months to relearn German, and now 4 & 1/2 years in Frankfurt. And I promise, officer, it isn't me you're looking for. It's that other guy who drank the last doppelbock.
I've never lived in Germany but have accumulated lots of time both there and in Austria. On visits ranging from a week to as long as 2 months I've been to a variety of places ranging from the big city (Berlin) to small towns (e.g., Stade, Meschede). I've been to places as far north as Oldenburg and as far south as Passau, as far east as Koln and as far west as Berlin. I've stayed in lodgings ranging from a Berlin Ibis to Christ the King's Abbey in Meschede and from private homes to a Gasthaus here and there (e.g., Stuttgart). I've used a variety of transit systems ranging from German trains going from the Austrian Border to Oldenburg to a river boat along the Neckar to stop for Sunday lunch in Schiller's birthplace, Marbach am Neckar. I've walked the river pathways in Scwabish Hall and along the banks of the Inn. Along the way I've managed to accumulate a bit of time drinking German beer in its natural habitats... :-)
American of German ancestry that lived there for 1.5 years, and have made many business and pleasure trips.
Born and bred American.... born in '58 and first visited Germany in '80... Have some German blood... have been back every year since '82.... been all over but prefer Bayern... Love the OFest (sorry Stahlsturm!) bur also enjoy small countryside breweries... Prosit!!
I'm just a random American that loves to vacation over there. I check this group to stay in the loop.
Lifelong Wisconsinite. First trip to Germany was in 1996, centered on Munich for the Oktoberfest. I love visiting any Volksfeste I can find, and love visiting breweries and drinking beer at their tap/restaurant. I try to go to Germany once or twice per year, with Bayern being one of the must stops. I've also been to Baden Würtemberg, Hessen, and Nordhein-Westfalen. I sometimes go with a group of like-minded friends (eg: beer lovers/hunters), and sometimes with my wife. Sometimes I will zip off for a couple of days to a nearby country, such as Austria, France, Switzerland, and even Poland. I enjoy this Germany forum, and have met several cool German beer lovers as a result. They have been very generous with their time and knowledge! Thanks guys!
Actual born and bred German here. Found this place as I was looking for a place on the web where beer talk is a bit more open minded. Many Germans seem to believe we are the only country where drinkable beer comes from. They have missed a lot recently.
I guess I am one of the born and bred germans here... As far as I know my ancestors have all been german for generations. I have to be honest, I like Germany, but I'd love to move to Canada, Switzerland or the UK
