I asked a local today why Bavarians drink so much beer.

He didn't really answer my question, but he did tell me about the a purity law that was passed a couple hundred years ago in Munich. This law says that hops, barely, and water are the only things that can be added to beer in Munich. (Eventually wheat was allowed in, but most beer in Munich is without wheat.)

Because of this purity law beer is actually seen as a healthy grain product, so why not drink it all day long?