Visiting distant relatives of my then wife, in Celle, Germany, they offered me a glass of the local distilled liquor that they were very proud of (or they were pulling a fast one on this American soldier ). It's called "Ratzeputz". It tasted like fermented ginger root and it's downright nasty and burns horribly (116 proof). I drank it in one shot and smiled (didn't want them thinking I wasn't man enough, and I wanted to be polite). They poured me two more shots, which I regretably, but politely, accepted, but after that I said that I didn't want to drink too much and become silly. I had a churning upset stomach for two days after that.

They decided that I must like it, so for several years in a row they sent me a small bottle of it for Christmas. I used this "gift" to initiate new soldiers to my platoon by having them join me in a toast - priceless reactions ensued.