Christmas market visitors livid after being ‘ripped off’ by beer prices

'They can stick it,' said one local.


Christmas market visitors livid after being ‘ripped off’ by beer prices + ' Main Photo'
Birminghams Frankfurt Christmas Market has been a fixture of the citys festive period since 2001 (Picture: Dave Warren/LNP/REX/Shutterstock)

Those looking to enjoy an evening at the UKs biggest Christmas market need to mentally prepare for paying at least £20 for a beer and hotdog.

Visitors to Birminghams German Christmas market were more than frustrated when they were charged £21 for their food and drink, which claims to be authentic.

A two-pint stein of Hofbrau German wheat beer set punters back by £12.50, and a half-metre Bratwurst sausage cost £9.

Even a humble bag of roasted almonds was blasted as a rip off, costing customers £4.50.

John beard wrote online: This will be the first time in ten years Im not going to bother.

For what it costs, its really not worth it because its absolutely rammed and youre just standing about in the cold essentially. The stalls are the same each year too.

Locals have complained that they are priced out of attending the market (Picture: Dave Warren/LNP/REX/Shutterstock)

Where are German Christmas markets in the UK?

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market York St Nicholas Fayre

People are watching the pennies more than ever and dont want to spend nearly a tenner on a sausage. You can blow about £50 in ten minutes.

The market, which is the biggest German market outside of its home-country, has also introduced a ‘one drink’ rule for all customers.

Signs have been constructed on the wooden huts which line Victoria Square for the market reminding customers that they will only be allowed to buy one drink at a time.

The signs read: ‘One drink per person. We ask for your understanding that we are only allowed to sell one alcoholic drink per person.

‘This is part of a campaign to ensure that alcoholic drinks are not being bought for market visitors who are underage.’

Market organisers said they will be advising that anyone who looks under the age of 25 should have to provide ID to buy one of their famous German beers.

Customers at last year’s festival were allowed to buy rounds, but staff had to see each beer distributed to each individual consumer.

And the stricter rules at this year’s market have left punters questioning whether to even attend one of many Brummies’ favourite events of the year.

Jan Wilson wrote on Facebook: ‘(With the) price of it who can afford more than one? I’ve had my fill of the German market. They can stick it.’

The market, which is the biggest German market outside of its home-country, has also introduced a ‘one drink’ rule for all customers (Picture: Dave Warren/LNP/REX/Shutterstock)

Elaine Riding added: ‘I am Birmingham born and bred and while I am always up for a great night out, visiting the German market will definitely not be on my to-do list.’

And Joanne Palmer complained: ‘As if the queues weren’t long enough. I’ve had my fill of the German market. They can stick it.’

The market, which is open until Christmas eve, offers Brummies and visitors a wide selection of traditional German food, including pretzels, bratwursts and roasted almonds.

Last year, customers were charged £6.50 for a pint of German beer.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.