If you’re ever hungry and happen to be in Bavaria, fear not! As long as you’re at least 16 years old, there is an easy solution, as beer is often considered just the same as food! With over 2.55 billion gallons of “liquid bread” consumed per year, Germany is the second largest beer consumer in Europe (only behind Czechia). In fact, it is such an integral part of the culture that the Germans have developed efficient, empathetic, and considerate shorthand signals for ordering “liquid bread.” If you’re afraid of social interactions and don’t want to have to open your mouth to ask for another glass, simply hold up your thumb and you’ll get a liter of beer, hold up your index finger and you’ll get two. You may be asking yourself at this point, “this seems unfair, what opportunities are there for younger kids to enjoy in Germany?” Well, in classic German fashion of engaging the youth, Haribo has a trade program for just that! Children throughout Germany can collect acorns and bring them to Haribo stores, where the acorns are then sent off to preserves and sanctuaries as food. In exchange, the children get free candy — a pretty sweet deal if you ask me!