Beer boots or Bierstiefeln in German have over a century of history and culture behind them. It is commonly believed that a general promised his troops to drink beer from his boot if they were successful in battle. When the troops prevailed, the general had a glass maker fashion a boot from glass to fulfill his promise without tasting his own feet and to avoid spoiling the beer in his leather boot. Since then, soldiers have enjoyed toasting to their victories with a beer boot. At gatherings in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, beer boots are often passed among the guests for a festive drinking challenge. Since the movie Beer Fest appeared in 2006, Beer Boots have become increasingly popular in the United States. Originally most commonly seen in the German Restaurant and Bier Garten (Beer Garden) scene in the US, they have become a party essential at college campuses across the nation. A beer boot is made of either manufactured pressed glass or mouth blown glasses by skilled artisans in form of a boot. They come in a wide array of sizes, and we carry the largest variety. For drinking groups in particular, the larger beer boots, especially the 2 liter beer boots, are the favored option.

When drinking in a group, the boot is passed around in a circle and a game is played to determine who pays for the next beer. The second to last person to drink is the loser and has to purchase the next beer. Therefore, there are two strategies to the game. One either tries to finish the boot in one drink without it spilling any, or one drinks as little ones as possible and hopes that the next person in line doesn't try to drink the boot empty.

Other rules for the true binge sticklers

1. The BOOT must travel clockwise around the table.
2. The BOOT may never touch the table, if you set it down you buy the next boot.
3. The toe of the BOOT must always point away from the drinker, if it doesen't drink again!
4. The BOOT must be "flicked" with your finger before passing it - forget, and drink again!
5. If the BOOT splashes the drinker, drink again!
6. The person that passed the BOOT to the person that finishes it buys the next BOOT.
7. (repeat)

How do I drink out of a beer boot without spilling?

The shape of the boot can make drinking a bit more difficult. As you drink down the beer and tilt the boot backwards at an angle, an air pocket fills in the toe and has to be cautiously released. The trick to drinking from the boot is to hold the boot so that the toe is pointed either to your left or right, preventing an air bubble from building up in the toe.  Others prefer to turn the boot right before the air bubble comes. 

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Drink up bitches:)