Umm, where you hear that German saying, Rod? With your translation, it leaves me entirely flummoxed. I know one and it demands the opposite order:

Bier auf Wein, das lass' sein,
Wein auf Bier, das rat' ich dir.

roughly:
"Beer on (top of) Wine: leave it be;
Wine on Beer; this I advise you."

I've also heard many variations though. One such follows. It seems as long as they rhyme then no one really minds.

Wein auf Bier, das rat' ich dir;
Bier auf Wein ist auch ganz fein.

The only English one I know is:

Beer before liquor; never sicker.
Liquor before beer; in the clear.