Scotland fans are celebrating the World Cup with such enthusiasm that they have nearly drained Boston of its beer supply. The Tartan Army, numbering over 20,000, has descended on Massachusetts for Scotland's first two group stage matches of the tournament.
Beer Shortage Hits Boston Bars
Pubs across the city are struggling to keep up with demand as fans enjoy pints and sing along to Baccara's hit "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie," which has become an unofficial anthem. Many bars have run out of beer, including Hennessy's Bar in central Boston, where trade tripled compared to St Patrick's Day. Chief operating officer Noelle Somers told the Boston Globe: "We've been here for over 30 years and we've never seen anything like it." The bar ran out of beer on Sunday night but was restocked on Monday, with another delivery expected before the match against Morocco on Friday.
Taproom Sam Adams also reported running dry, with demand for its Boston lager four times higher than during the holiday season. Scotland's dedicated bar, The Haven, ordered over 100 kegs of Tennents to meet demand.
Fans Embrace Local Culture
Fans have also enjoyed a trip to Fenway Park to watch a Boston Red Sox game. Boston locals have welcomed the Scots warmly, with one Reddit user joking: "I for one welcome our new kilted overlords." The Providence Tartan Army raised nearly $30,000 in donations for the city, including $10,000 for the Hasbro Children's Hospital cancer unit.
