German Fans Frothing Over World Cup Without Home Brew

Expatica ^ | 22 April 2004 | Expatica

[Weimdog]

MUNICH - It's proving hard for German fans to swallow - the 2006 football World Cup looks likely to go ahead without German beer.

Now shocked politicians are seeking talks with tournament organizers after it emerged that a US brewer has the exclusive right to sell its beer in and around World Cup stadiums.

A World Cup in Germany without traditional German beer is almost as inconceivable for Germans as the country's football team failing to qualify for the tournament - or losing to England on penalties.

But the Germans may have scored an own goal in allowing football's world organizing body FIFA to secure an exclusive contract with the US brewer Anheuser-Busch, brewers of Budweiser, as one of the tournament's official sponsors.

In Bavaria, where beer is regarded as part of the state's cultural heritage, senior government officials have met to discuss the serious prospect of the World Cup kicking off in Munich's new Allianz stadium without any of its traditional wheat beers on sale.

The local Green party has called on state premier Edmund Stoiber to make the lack of German World Cup beer a top-level issue.

"We will very shortly be approaching the World Cup organizing committee to see what possibilities there still are," said a culture ministry spokeswoman.

Both Munich and Nuremberg, another Bavarian World Cup venue, are now planning "fan villages" outside stadium precincts so supporters can buy German beer instead of American Budweiser.

Gerhard Ohneis, head of the Augustiner brewery, told Munich's Merkur newspaper: "It's annoying if there is not going to be any Munich beer in the Munich stadium."

A spokesman for Paulaner brewery said a possibility might be to enable Bavarian beer to be sold in "neutral glasses".

Bavarian Social Democrat parliamentary group leader Franz Maget said: "The cities will make sure that World Cup visitors are supplied with respectable products."

Nuremberg has an additional problem - it won't be able to sell its traditional Nuremberg sausages at World Cup games. "McDonald's has the exclusive on sausage supplies," Maget said.

And if that were not enough, German carmakers will also be left on the sidelines, with players, VIPS and officials being shuttled to and from games by South Korean sponsor Hyundai.

[Weimdog]

Bavarian Social Democrat parliamentary group leader Franz Maget said: "The cities will make sure that World Cup visitors are supplied with respectable products."

This dumbass doesn't realize that without the worldwide sponsorship by companies like McDonalds and Hyundai, there would be no World Cup.

[Moose4]

Oh man. The Germans are not going to take this lying down, can you imagine them being able to only get Budweiser p*ss-water in their stadiums? This could start World War III!

And y'know, I'd feel pretty bad having to kick Germany's butt to make the world safe for Budweiser. Bleh.

}:-)4

[FormerLib]

If you handed me a Buttweider in a German stadium, I'd be so incensed that I'd probably invade France!

[Mr. Bird]

I can only assume the presence of Bud and Big Macs at a German World Cup would be like Perrier and croissants at a Super Bowl. I can see why this would irk them.

But, of course, they will end up blaming America for such things, when FIFA is the responsible party.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Sausages by McDonalds (oh barf), and suds from Budweiser (bottled horse piss?).

I can't imagine Germans going for that.

[Mr. Bird]

I've never been to Europe, but I think I'd love to go to a Parisian cafe and order a Budweiser and a hot dog. Real loud. While wearing a Hawaiian shirt. And brown socks with black shoes and plaid bermuda shorts.

On a more serious note, I'm not a fan of the contemporary beer-nazi; the character who sniffs at one who quaffs the giant AB and Miller products. I've imbibed my share of over a hundred varieties of beer, and I could name dozens that are outstanding in their own way. But there's nothing wrong with pounding a case of good old Bud, or Miller High Life, or Pabst when the mood suits, you know?

[Cronos]

The Football world cup would be there even without the products marketing, it's HUGE, it gets more viewers than the Olympics. The third largest sports event in terms of viewer base is, surprisingly, the cricket world cup

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

Making them drink Budweiser must be against the Geneva Convention surely?

[FormerLib]

Don't expect me to comment on what you chose to drink.

It's only when I find myself with nothing but lousy options to choose from as a result of someone else's decision that I'm going to comment, and damned loudly at that!

[Iberian]

Not to worry, FIFA will take care of this. It may be Germany, but FIFA is above all else. FIFA will see to it that all is sold, whether you buy a hot dog or a Bud there will be a presence.

[Warren]

If you have ever had German beer, not the German beer imported & modified by US regulations, you would be upset too. American beer is piss poor compared to German beer. I was stationed in Augsburg Germany '64 - '66 & was introduced to the great German beer. Best I have ever had.

[connectthedots]

The Football world cup would be there even without the products marketing, it's HUGE, it gets more viewers than the Olympics. The third largest sports event in terms of viewer base is, surprisingly, the cricket world cup

Cricket is very big in countries that formerly comprised much of the British Empire, especially India.

[Mr. Bird]

Oh, absolutely. This particular situation is especially galling, I would think, because of the national pride on display during the Cup. To omit Germany's own brew in favor of the widely disparaged American variety is a PR disaster.

[LibWhacker]

Best I have ever had.

My thoughts, too -- until the last 20 years or so when lots of small American breweries caught up to them, imho. 'Course, it has been a looooooong time since I had a real German beer . . .

[bmwcyle]

Didn't make it to England?

Piss is too good to be linked to Bud.

[antiRepublicrat]

In Germany, at a World Cup, and all that's available is Budweiser and McDonalds? Yuuuuck! Give me a bratwurst and a hefeweizen any day.

I have to be with them on this one. The fans will be suffering because of fat-cat sponsor contracts. Realize that to a German Budweiser is horrible pseudo-beer -- I've actually tested that by bringing some cans of Bud to a party.

[monday]

""The cities will make sure that World Cup visitors are supplied with respectable products."


Is Budwiser even sold in Germany? Why would Budwiser want to advertise in Germany? There is no way they can compete with German beer. It seems to me that this could be a huge PR nightmare for Budwiser.

[antiRepublicrat]

To omit Germany's own brew in favor of the widely disparaged American variety is a PR disaster.

Too bad the contract likely doesn't simply say "Only Budweiser will be sold at the games." Then they could get some Budìjovický Budvar, a.k.a., the real Budweiser brewed in the Czech Republic. That's pretty good beer.

[LynnHam]

Oh man. The Germans are not going to take this lying down, can you imagine them being able to only get Budweiser p*ss-water in their stadiums? This could start World War III!

there is nothing in the world better then German beer ... if they are thinking of the waterd down versions available in the states they are very wrong. its no wonder they want to start World War 111

[Iberian]

Hell the dogs won't drink it in Germany.