Ever since it was announced in 2018 that Germany would be the host of Euro 2024, football fans in the United Kingdom have been excited about the prospect of the trip. Not only is Germany a stadium packed with sensational football stadiums, but it also has a drinking culture that the majority of British football fans can relate to.
Cities like Munich and Berlin are popular destinations for lads' holidays and stag dos, with German beer proving to be very popular with Brits. As a result, in March 2024, the UK Foreign Office issued a warning to fans about the percentage of alcohol that is typically found in German beer ahead of the tournament.
Strength of German beer at Euro 2024: warning issued to football fans
The official advice from the Foreign Office about the strength of German beer at Euro 2024 came as a surprise to most football fans. It read:
“Beer can be stronger than in the UK, so drink responsibly, know your limits and respect local laws. You may not be let into the stadium if you drink too much.”
The main reason for the surprise was that German beer, on average at least, isn't exactly significantly higher than beer found in the UK. The average strength of lager in the UK is around the 4.4.% mark while the average in Germany is around the 4.7% mark.
Your eyes do not deceive you. This is a German off license in Berlin. We've said it time and time again, the German's just do beer better 🇩🇪
Now, are we looking forward to the Euros? 😍 pic.twitter.com/cjlIwDQC7O
— Pints Of Beauty (@PintsBeauty) May 28, 2024
At the time, the co-founder of the Scottish Football Supporters Association said:
“There are of course many things that Scotland fans need to be warned about but we don't really think this is one of them. The Tartan Army have watched Scotland all over the world and enjoyed sampling the culture and, of course, the local beer sensibly and in moderation – win, lose or draw.”
It seems like Scotland fans will be taking the strength of German beer at Euro 2024 in their stride, then.
Why was the German beer warning given?
The reality is, the UK government don't trust football fans and when it comes to how fans have behaved at international tournaments in the past, their distrust isn't exactly unjustified. The warning likely came to try and drum home the point that British fans need to behave themselves in Germany otherwise there will be consequences – in this instance, not being let into the stadium.
It isn't the only step the government have taken to try and keep a lid on British football fans this summer. Earlier this year, the Home Office requested the passports from 1,600 individuals with football banning orders to prevent them from travelling to the tournament.
Additionally, a British Police Chief has urged England fans to use ‘common sense' in Germany this summer about culturally sensitive behaviour. There are fears that England fans could use World War One and Two references to point score in Germany, but this could land them in hot trouble with local police due to German public order laws.