~ Wird der Aff im Bierglas groß ~
This large, relief, beer stein with a figural monkey on the lid drinking beer was made ca. 1900 by Matthias Girmscheid and was marked "Germany 1198". The verse refers to the monkey as a symbol of the beer drinking habit and warns that if the habit gets too strong, then you are in big trouble.
 
Wird der Aff im Bierglas groß,
ist auch gleich der Teufel los!
 
Auf dein Wohl!
If the monkey gets big in the beer glass,
then all hell is about to break loose!
 
To your health!
 
 
Translation: Les Hopper compilation II
Photo credit: Unknown