Getting through a crisis: How Budweiser saved its World Cup

Consuming less alcohol is a good thing, of course. How are World Cup visitors liking Budweiser Zero?

Lee O’Hare, 27, from Ireland, said he supports the notion of non-alcoholic beer in general, but not for himself. “I had 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 from Australia, said he too had tried a Bud Zero, mainly because he was there. “I couldn’t drink more than one,” he said.

His friend Ben Weeks, 48, said unfortunately non-alcoholic beer was not his idea of ​​a good time on a hot day.

“I find the 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 unplug beer in stadiums. Fort, the sports marketing expert, said he believed Qatar’s decision was the result of inattention and not premeditation. But many fans were convinced that removing the beer had always been the idea.

“I think the Qatari government planned the whole time not to allow beer sales in the stadium, but they didn’t want to say anything because they were afraid people wouldn’t come,” Marty Brazeau said. , a 36-year-old teacher. from the Seattle area, who had come to the W Hotel looking for something to drink. “I’m not sure I would have come.”