Scotland’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup has brought more than just football fever to Boston. It has also brought what some local businesses are jokingly calling a beer crisis.
Tens of thousands of Scotland supporters, known collectively as the Tartan Army, have descended on the Massachusetts city for their country’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. While Scotland’s 1-0 win over Haiti sparked celebrations on the pitch, the aftermath left several Boston bars scrambling to keep beer flowing.
According to Reuters, some venues were forced to arrange emergency deliveries after supporters nearly drank them dry over the opening weekend of the tournament. One popular taproom even feared it might have to switch to selling cans if fresh supplies did not arrive in time.
For local pub owners, it has been an unforgettable introduction to one of football’s most famous travelling fan bases.
TARTAN ARMY DRINKS BOSTON DRY
Billy DeCain, general manager of the Sam Adams Tap Room in downtown Boston, said he had never witnessed anything quite like it.
“I’ve been in this business for over 30 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” DeCain said as the city prepared for Scotland’s second group-stage clash against Morocco.
The scale of demand caught even experienced operators by surprise. According to Boston Beer Company, Scotland fans drank four times more Boston Lager than the venue would typically sell during a busy four-day holiday period such as the Fourth of July.
Emergency deliveries quickly became necessary.
“We just about made it through. If we didn’t have those emergency deliveries it would have been a tall task,” DeCain said.
The numbers behind the drinking spree were equally staggering. Boston Beer Company revealed that more than 4,000 pints of Boston Lager were sold over four days, resulting in nearly 90 empty kegs. At one point, the company had to organise multiple emergency deliveries simply to keep up with demand.
The scenes were repeated elsewhere across the city.
“The White Bull Tavern, there was no beer,” Scotland supporter Dave Orr joked while speaking to local media.
Paul Morris, from The White Bull Tavern, admitted the venue had run out of several popular options.
“Pretty much everything. We ran out of everything,” he said.
BOSTON EMBRACES ITS SCOTTISH INVASION
Despite the strain on beer supplies, the Tartan Army has won plenty of admirers.
Boston mayor Michelle Wu praised the visiting supporters for their enthusiasm and the boost they have provided to local businesses.
“We count ourselves as among the most passionate and crazy sports fans anywhere. So, to see that same level of commitment and dedication, that brings true respect,” Wu said.
“The Scottish fans are the absolute best. They have been incredibly warm, they’ve been supporting our businesses, they have been getting to know our community and treating Boston as if it were another home away from home for them.”
The celebrations have extended well beyond pubs and bars. Scotland supporters organised a fan march through the city accompanied by bagpipe bands before heading to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, for a special Scotland-themed event.
For many locals, it has been a colourful introduction to a fan base that has waited almost three decades for another World Cup adventure.
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