[2][3] The bieresel is mentioned in the Die gestriegelte Rockenphilosophie (first published 1705) by apothecary and natural historian Johann Georg Schmidt [de], where the "bier esel" is described as a devil or kobold taking on a shape of a donkey and drinking beer by night, and seen in many places.
In Ruhla, Thuringia, a bieresel (with the appearance of a three- or four-legged donkey[8]) would roam the streets, and looking for beer-drinkers, reputedly practices "aufhocken" (leaping upon a person’s back and forcing them to carry the aufhocking spirit), its victims being drunkards or tavern visitors returning late at night, usually all the way to the drinker's house door.
[16] In Grochwitz near Torgau in Saxony, the Bieresel brings beer inside the house like a Drak and also does other household chores like a Kobold.
[18][19] In Grimma, Saxony, there was a legend of a bieresel dwelling in a cellar under one of the barns standing in row against a high hill.
[28] A farmstead called "Muschick" in Settenz (Řetenice), Teplice was reputedly haunted by a bieresel that was donkey-headed and hooved.
In these establishments, the Biersal will gladly clean bottles, steins, casks and kegs that have been used in return for payment in the form of his own portion of beer.
[33] but sometimes takes on donkey shape,[33]: 21) and in one Swedish example, it is paired with the trottentier ("stomping beast") nightly roaming the streets of Oberflachs (Aargau canton).
[34][b] Another parallel to the bieresel[non-primary source needed] may be the English legend, first appearing in the 19th century, concerning a house spirit named Hodfellow that resided at the Fremlin's Brewery in Maidstone, Kent, England who was wont to either assist the company's workers or hinder their efforts depending on whether he was being paid his share of the beer.