Birmingham Christmas market faces criticism over £31.50 beer-and-sausage outlay

Visitors to Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market have criticised prices after a two-pint beer and a half-metre bratwurst with onions reached an upfront cost of £31.50, including a refundable £7 glass deposit.

The market, which opened on Thursday, 5 November, describes itself as the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany or Austria. Some regular visitors say higher prices and a new one-drink-per-person limit at each bar visit are putting them off returning.

A two-pint stein of Hofbrau costs £14, with the glass deposit taking the initial payment to £21. A half-metre bratwurst costs £9.50, plus £1 for onions. Once the glass is returned and the deposit refunded, the combined cost is £24.50.

The two-pint beer price has risen from £12.50 in 2025. A pint of Weissbier is £8, up from £6.50, while pints of Hofbrau and shandy have each risen by £1 to £8. A half-pint of Hofbrau now costs £5 rather than £4, and the bratwurst has increased from £9 to £9.50.

Matt Hunt, 45, a project co-ordinator, and his wife Gemma, 43, from Solihull in the West Midlands, visit every year but said the expense was becoming difficult to justify.

Matt said they normally visited towards the end of the market’s run, rather than on opening day. A burger with mushrooms and potatoes that he remembered as relatively cheap last year was now £10.

“I think it’s all gone up a little bit, it’s a discrete price increase,” he said.

Gemma said bringing their three children would make the visit too expensive: “It’d be nearly £30 for three sausages for them – which is a rip-off.”

She said a large beer and a can of Fanta had cost them £24. Matt questioned whether the beer was worth the money, saying, “I feel like it’s just Carling too, so it might not even be worth it.” He said they would not return this year.

Another visitor said: “I know everything has gone up but this is ridiculous – it’s like Scrooge has been put in charge of pricing.”

The new restriction allowing customers to buy only one drink per bar visit is intended to curb drunkenness, but has also created long queues. Some previous visitors are considering staying away because of the changes, particularly the alcohol policy.

Alan and Fiona Evans, grandparents from Northfield in Birmingham, chose Greggs instead of eating at the market after checking the prices.

Alan, 72, said: “I suppose they have to make a profit but it’s a lot for what it is.” They bought a mince pie for £1 at Greggs.

Fiona, 71, said they still liked to visit because the market brought activity to the town, but felt the Christmas attractions were now aimed more at adults than children. She recalled coloured lights stretching between buildings and Father Christmas displays.

The couple are vegetarian. Fiona said cheesy chips, at about £7, were the only meat-free option they could find and that the market was too expensive for them.

Frankfurt Christmas Market Ltd said rising operating costs had made increases necessary. A spokesperson said: “Since 2022 prices on our food and drink stalls have been frozen, however as essential costs continue to rise – from importing goods and higher energy prices, to increased National Insurance and visa costs for market staff – we had no choice but to put most prices up by 50p or so this year.”

Several of the listed beer increases are larger than 50p. The spokesperson added: “We need to make money so that the market remains viable for future years.”

The company also said quoted drinks prices could appear higher because they included deposits, which are returned when customers take their glasses or mugs back to the stall.

Other prices include £22 for 20 chocolate marshmallows and £7.50 for hot chocolate with either a shot of Jägermeister or Bailey’s. Garlic bread with ham and cheese costs £7, chips £6, a burger £10, churros with sugar £7 and a Christmas melt toastie £9.

The market was voted the UK’s third-best Christmas market this year, behind Manchester in first place and Edinburgh.