Scottish football fans descended on Munich’s main plaza, Marienplatz, and several fan zones, causing a significant beer shortage in local pubs. According to The Sun, Woerners’ bar in Marienplatz ran out of beer within hours of the fans’ arrival on Friday evening. A waitress at the bar noted, “your fans like beer so much,” indicating that the rapid depletion was due to high demand rather than a supply issue. Brian Robertson, a Scotland fan, reported that the bar was dry by 4 pm.
As the beer supplies dwindled, some fans switched to vodka to keep the celebrations going. In response to the unprecedented demand, Munich’s bars have increased their beer orders for future events. Valetina Shaap, reservations manager at the Hofbrauhaus, confirmed they have ordered “extra beer” to avoid running out again.
The BBC reported that fans at the Olympiapark fan zone faced lengthy queues, waiting up to three hours for beer and food. One fan lamented, “You can’t get a beer in Munich whatsoever.” Approximately 25,000 fans crowded into the park to watch Scotland’s match against Germany, which ended in a 5-1 loss for Scotland. Fans also complained about the inadequate facilities, including insufficient toilets.
England Fans Face Booze Ban at Euro 2024
In contrast, England fans faced restrictions on alcohol at their first Euro 2024 Championship game. Due to concerns from local law enforcement, the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen served only low-alcohol beers, limiting options to a Bitburger radler (2.5% ABV) and a light version of Bitburger (2.8% ABV). Fans were also restricted to purchasing two pints per transaction. Despite these limitations, England fans celebrated their team’s 1-0 victory over Serbia.
These contrasting experiences highlight the varying approaches to managing large crowds and alcohol consumption during international football events.
