Frederick the Great

Frederick the Great, annoyed with the great sums of money going to foreign coffee merchants, issued the following declaration in 1777:

It is disgusting to note the increase in the quantity of coffee used by my subjects and the amount of money that goes out of the country in consequence. If possible this must be prevented. My people must drink beer. His Majesty was brought up on beer. And so were his officers. Many battles have been fought and won by soldiers nourished on beer; and the king does not believe that coffee-drinking soldiers can be depended upon to endure hardships or to beat his enemies in case of the occurrence of another war.

Technorati Tags: beer, coffee