GERMAN brewers are begging the Tartan Army to help save their struggling industry — by downing millions of steins of beer during Euro 2024.
The appeal was made after latest figures showed an alarming slump in sales across the country, where almost seven billion fewer litres of booze were guzzled last year.
Firms are now hoping for a boost from up to 100,000 Scotland fans who are expected to descend on Germany for the footie tournament this summer.
Last night author Markus Raupach, 49, who has written more than 40 books on the subject, said to the Tartan Army: “Please show your incredible strength at the bars and support our breweries.”
The Bavarian-based expert hopes our footsoldiers will neck plenty of giant-sized glasses of foaming ale in the run-up to our opening group match against the host nation in Munich on June 14.
Markus added: “For this we will cheer a draw in the game so that we can party together all night afterwards. There will also be more consumption in the beer gardens where matches will be shown on big screens. Hopefully people will go out and have a lot of fun.”
Figures show Germany’s beer sales dropped by 4.5 per cent last year. They were also 11 per cent lower than in 2013.
Experts say health reasons are one reason. But Markus insisted: “Don’t worry — we won’t run out.”
Iain Emerson, editor of the Famous Tartan Army Magazine, joked last night: “Our fans are always keen to help out those in need.
“Asking them to drink beer in Germany will be like letting a kid loose in a sweetie shop.”