Der Bieresel loves beer and other fermented beverages, such as apple cider, mead or wine. In German folklore the beer donkey lives in wine or beer cellars, public houses, breweries and farmhouse basements. He's known to visit pubs or Kneipen.
In certain ways he relates to the Eight Immortals of Chinese lore, who in some stories are happily addicted to wine as the Eight Drunken Immortals. They may appear on Earth dressed as peasants with donkey companions.
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Beer Donkey uses the German pronoun 'der', masculine. He guards the drink and sometimes assumes the duties of a house Kobold in the cellar, bestowing protective magic, keeping things tidy for a reward of beer or other fermented beverage. The spirit may be related to the Harvest Donkeys of Yule, who fertilize the fruit trees.
As one of the domestic animal spirits the Donkey can be helpful, or kick up a fuss if denied a share of beer. Like the kitchen Kobolds this spirit can cause significant damage in his habitat. He breaks barrels and bottles, turns alcoholic beverages to vinegar and infests hops with powdery mildew.
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Even in a good mood Bieresel has a mischievous streak and might play tricks on brewers and landlords, hiding tools or causing the equipment malfunctions attributed to gremlins in the early 20th century. A kick or head-butt from the Beer Donkey can cause a person to stumble and fall. More vigorous spirit attacks can result in broken bones.
Regional variations apply. In central Germany the beast may be an Aufhocker. It leaps on a person's back, and increases its weight until the person either dies or finds a way to dislodge it. Der Bieresel often attacks drunkards.
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The Donkey's a good protector of the cellar. If an owner goes down it's best to bring a dish of beer or cider to acknowledge the Donkey. A dish or glass of alcoholic drink each night is also acceptable to der Bieresel as tribute for continued good fortune.
This animal may play trickster cards. If given permission to indulge, the Donkey can drain a barrel of beer in minutes. Like the Roggenhund or Rye Dog, this spirit is never satisfied. Sometimes der Bieresel comes into a drinking establishment and drinks it all dry.
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The sight of the Donkey might signal the approach of the Moss Mother, a mythical entity who brews her own beer. Moss Mother appears in the Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction series of novels.
In autumn Moss Mother travels to Harvest Festivals and homes throughout the land as an aspect of Nerthe (Nerthus, Hertha, Erde) the Earth Goddess. Where the people celebrate veneration of the Earth, in public halls or under the stars, Moss Mother leaves a blessing.
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In Bohemia, Bieresel is a type of Poltergeist, a dissatisfied spirit of medium to strong power who makes a mess and a lot of noise. His appearance is not as Donkey but an Ox, hideous and hostile, with swollen red face, horns and other demonic traits. The sight of this spirit is said to make one sick unto death.
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