England fans have been left outraged as full strength beer will be banned at the upcoming Euros fixture against Serbia, instead replaced with weak shandy.
The ban is in place to cut down on violent behaviour between fans amid fears a group of 500 Serbian ultras could descend on Germany’s VELTINS-Arena ahead of the game.
This has forced the replacement of 4.8 percent Bitburger Premium in the stadium’s bars with a 2.5 percent “Radler-style” beer – half lager and half citrus soda.
Fans also will not be able to purchase more than two pints at a time – a rule only in place for that specific match – and there will be a ban on booze in the city centre before kick-off.
These rules have garnered a swift and angry response from supporters who have made the journey to Germany for the tournament.
Journalists Nick Parker and Robin Perrie tried a weakened beer and were left extremely disappointed, with Perrie going so far as to spit it out in disgust.
In their video taste test posted to The Sun’s website, the pair begin by tasting the banned Bitburger Premium, which Parker describes as “very nice” and “very moreish”.
Perrie adds: “You can imagine having a couple of these before a match, and certainly a few more afterwards to celebrate the England victory.”
Next, they turn to a zero percent beer made by the same brand, prompting Perrie to somewhat jokingly do a spit take. After they’ve finished giggling, he says, “it’s not for me”.
This comes after German police intelligence issued a warning over organised gangs of Serbian hooligans potentially causing violent clashes with England fans.
Gelsenkirchen police spokesman Stephan Knipp also told the outlet: “It is just the England game which will have the low-strength beer. The other games at the stadium will have 4.8 percent.
“Fans are not allowed to drink alcohol in the city’s main square, Heinrich-Konig-Platz. An England fan with a can or bottle of beer in the square will be asked to put it away, or it will be taken away. They will not immediately be arrested.
“The square will be a fan zone for other games in the city, but not for England. Fans can however drink alcohol in the city’s bars and in a fan zone for England fans at the racecourse.”
