Scotland fans flocking to Munich for the opening weekend of Euro 2024 were met with a less-than-refreshing surprise: beer shortages and long queues at fan zones and pubs across the city. With thousands of supporters arriving early to soak up the atmosphere, local bars and fan areas quickly became overwhelmed by demand.

According to The Sun, Woerners’ bar in Marienplatz ran out of beer just hours after Scottish fans arrived on Friday. A waitress told the paper, “Your fans like beer so much,” adding that it wasn’t the venue’s fault supplies had run dry. Fan Brian Robertson claimed the bar was “dry by 4pm,” illustrating how rapidly stocks were depleted.

Vodka steps in as beer runs dry

Faced with dry taps, some supporters reportedly switched to vodka and other spirits to keep the celebrations going. The unexpected beer shortage prompted many venues to act quickly. The historic Hofbrauhaus beer hall confirmed it had ordered extra stock in preparation for upcoming matches, aiming to avoid a repeat of the weekend’s issues.

Valetina Shaap, reservations manager at the Hofbrauhaus, said they were increasing their beer orders ahead of future games to ensure there would be enough to satisfy fans eager to raise a stein.

Long queues at fan zones

It wasn’t just pubs that struggled. Fans at Munich’s Olympiapark fan zone were left frustrated after queuing for as long as three hours to get food and drink. According to the BBC, the area saw around 25,000 fans gather to watch Scotland’s match against Germany—many of whom were left without beer or even sufficient toilet facilities.

One fan summed up the sentiment bluntly: “You can’t get a beer in Munich whatsoever.” With overcrowding and logistical issues widespread, organisers are now facing pressure to reassess capacity and service planning for future matches.

The match itself didn’t lift spirits much either, as Scotland suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to host nation Germany.

Booze ban dampens England’s first match

While Scottish fans were caught in a scramble for beer, England supporters had a different issue to contend with—a restriction on alcohol content. At England’s first match in Gelsenkirchen, only low-alcohol beers were allowed inside the Veltins Arena due to security concerns.

Local authorities restricted beer sales to just two low-ABV options: Bitburger Radler (2.5% ABV) and Bitburger Light (2.8% ABV). Fans were also limited to purchasing just two drinks per visit to the bar, in a move designed to reduce the risk of alcohol-related disorder.

Despite the restricted beverage choices, England fans had reason to celebrate as their team secured a 1-0 win over Serbia.

Looking ahead: More beer, better planning

Following the weekend’s chaos, Munich’s bars and fan zone organisers are ramping up preparations to handle the next wave of fans expected during the tournament. With thousands of international supporters continuing to pour into host cities, ensuring adequate beer supplies and efficient service will be critical.

For many fans, beer is an essential part of the matchday experience. And if the first weekend of Euro 2024 is anything to go by, organisers will need to stay several steps ahead to keep the crowds happy—and hydrated.