What I Think

Growing up in a traditional Indian family, even uttering the word "alcohol" was off-limits, let alone drinking it. Naturally, I knew next to nothing about different types of drinks or the culture around them. That all changed when I moved to Germany and discovered German beer culture for the first time. Here, beer isn't just a drink—it’s a way of life. Almost every small town takes immense pride in its own local brew. I eventually had the chance to visit Oktoberfest, the grandest beer festival of them all, and I was completely blown away. The massive tents, live folk music, crowds downing one-liter mugs after another, and the waitresses effortlessly carrying ten huge glass mugs at once in their traditional Dirndls —the energy was incredible. Walking into those tents and not having a beer felt like a cardinal sin, so of course, I indulged! However, I realized beer isn't really my thing; I’ve always preferred wine and champagne. Two years ago, a friend mentioned champ...