Consuming less alcohol is of course a good thing. What do World Cup attendees think of Budweiser Zero?
Lee O’Hare, 27, from Ireland, said he supported the idea of non-alcoholic beer in general, just not for himself. “I got one at the opening ceremony for the love of the game,” he said, “but it just tasted like a watered down version of a beer.”
David Allen, 51, who was visiting from Australia, said he also tried a Bud Zero – mainly because it was there. “I couldn’t drink more than one,” he said.
His friend Ben Weeks, 48, said non-alcoholic beer was unfortunately not his idea of a good time on a hot day.
“I find water more refreshing,” he said, “and it gives me the same alcohol content.”
Meanwhile, dark theories abounded as to why the Qataris had waited so long to pull the plug on beer in stadiums. Fort, the sports marketing expert, said he thought Qatar’s decision was the result of oversight, not premeditation. But many fans were convinced that removing the beer had been the idea all along.
“I think the government of Qatar was planning all along not to allow beer sales in the stadium, but they wouldn’t say anything because they were afraid people wouldn’t come,” said Marty Brazeau, a 36-year-old teacher. from the Seattle area, who had come to the W Hotel looking for a drink. “I’m not sure I would have come.”
