Beer is a huge part in german culture, they have oktoberfest which is all about beer.  For many years german beer is brewed to a certain law or order which is they can only use water, hops, and malt as beer ingredients but since 1993 the Provisional German Beer Law allows for a greater range of ingredients to be used.  It is believed that the beer boot came from a general that told his troops he would drink beer from his boot if they would win in battle.  So when they prevailed he had a glassmaker make a boot for him so he would fulfill his promise but not have to taste his feet.