ENGLAND fans will be reaping the benefits of hangover-proof beer today – flying in the face of daft Foreign Office warnings to “take it easy” while partying at the Euros tournament.
Nannying civil servants told Three Lions supporters to “know their limits” – because German lager can be “stronger” than in the UK.
Fans in Gelsenkirchen watching the Serbia England game on SundayPA
GettyEngland fans celebrate their side’s victory after the Serbia England match last night[/caption]
GettyFans won’t have a sore head this morning thanks to the German beer[/caption]
But an ancient purity law dating back over 500 years means German ale is free of the chemicals and preservatives found back home.
Meaning Brits celebrating the 1-0 win against Serbia last night may be doing so with a clear head.
The 1516 Reinheitsgebot limits German beer ingredients to water, hops, malt and yeast – making for fewer headaches the morning after a boozy session, according to stein-lovers.
This is despite the fact the average strength of the Euros hosts’ lager is between 4.7 and 5.4 per cent – compared to 4.4 per cent in the UK, according to Drinkaware.
Fan James Phillips, 44, who has tickets for two England group games, told The Sun: “But the stories about beer brewed in Germany being hangover-free is a big boost.
“I think most England supporters will be having a drink or two after the matches – hopefully celebrating a win rather than drowning our sorrows.
“The Foreign Office advice comes across as very patronising.”
German master brewer Arthur Bruno Riedel, from Bottroper Bier, said: “Most German beers are brewed using the bottom-fermented brewing method.
“That means the main fermentation takes place at low temperatures.
“As a result, fewer fermentation by-products are formed, which are responsible for the wholesomeness of the beer.
“If the beer is allowed to mature at 0°C for at least four weeks after the main fermentation, you can be sure that you won’t get a headache from the beer.”
Footie drinkers have also urged to be aware of strange local customs and laws – such as in Cologne, where England play Slovenia and beer mats are used as receipts.
Bars in the city also serve ‘kolsch-beer’ in third-pint glasses – which waiters keep topping up until a mat on top.
Earlier this year the Government posted on its website warning: “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 guidance has been branded “pointless” by critics as well as fans.
Up to half a million British fans are expected to head to games in Germany – a figure that could rise to 800,000.
Ahead of Sunday’s match tournament chiefs decided to pull full-strength beer for fans, replacing it with a lower-alcohol shandy.
The move came after security risk ratings were ramped up from “high” to “very high” for Sunday’s clash with Serbia amid fears 500 hardcore pro-Putin yobs would turn up.
And chaos did unfold in the German city of Gelsenkirchen yesterday when 200 riot cops had to break up a clash between England and Serbian fans.
Seven Serbian hooligans were arrested following the bust-up, which left a Brit fan bleeding from his head.
Despite the reduced alcohol beverages, football fans were left stunned by the prices as they set up camp for Sunday’s match.
They still had to fork out £6 a pop for a bottle of the weakened shandy.
England fans’ pain at beer prices
By Anthony Chapman, Digital Sports Reporter
FANS were left saying “ouch” after discovering the price of beer ahead of England vs Serbia on Sunday.
The two sides faced each other in a heated Euro 2024 group stage opener which saw England win 1-0.
Police feared fights between sets of supporters in the build-up to the game.
And their worst fears were realised earlier on Sunday as yobs launched chairs in a bloody clash in the venue city of Gelsenkirchen.
The violence came about despite tournament chiefs deciding to pull full-strength beer ahead of the match.
Instead, low-alcohol replacements including shandy — a mixture of beer and lemonade — were put on sale around the city.
But despite the lager being weakened, the prices remained at a premium for parched fans.
Pictures from the area surrounding England’s match showed that the low-booze beer was still on sale at a hefty 7 euros, or £6, for a 500ml glass.
That’s roughly the same for a full pint of proper beer at a London pub.
And supporters did not appear to be happy about digging deep for half-quality drinks after they were branded “reasonable” by talkSPORT star Adrian Durham.
One said: “Ouch. Where do you get reasonable from?”
Another declared: “How can they charge the same for non-alcoholic?”
APFull-strength beer was axed before the match over concerns about a clash between Serbian hooligans and English fans[/caption]