Scots Outshine Irish in Boston’s Drinking Culture During World Cup
Irish-Americans have a reputation for being top-notch drinkers, yet this past weekend in Boston, Scots truly outdid themselves during the World Cup. It was a spectacle, to say the least, with local pubs practically drained of beverages.
Scottish fans reportedly wiped out stocks of Corona, Budweiser, Coors, seltzer, cider, and Tennent Lager, which is quite popular in Scotland. One business owner commented on the phenomenon, and it seems like this kind of scene is definitely a first.
“We’ve been here over 30 years and we’ve never seen anything like this,” remarked Noel Summers, the chief operating officer of Hennessy’s Bar. “We tripled what we usually see on St. Patrick’s Day.”
Interestingly, bars like McBride’s Irish Pub, which is a bit off the beaten path in Providence, didn’t anticipate such an influx of patrons. The response on Friday turned out to be way beyond their expectations.
“They’re drinking everything,” noted co-owner Jennifer Monastes, rather amazed.
Come Saturday, the buzz continued as fans set out from nearby Airbnbs, making their way to Boston Stadium. Following Scotland’s narrow victory over Haiti, things got lively, and a bagpipe player jumped in to entertain the crowd.
The Scottish soccer supporters, often called the “Tartan Army,” made their presence known across multiple pubs and eateries from Thursday through Sunday, even catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
An interesting report mentioned that Sam Adams’s Boston Taproom completely ran out of Samuel Adams Boston Lager over the weekend. According to a local newspaper, consumption surged to four times the usual amount for a standard four-day holiday, prompting the brewery to arrange for emergency deliveries to keep up with demand.
Federal Wine & Spirits noted that Budweiser and Corona also sold out by Saturday, with the refrigerator malfunctioning due to constant use as patrons kept grabbing drinks.
As the saying goes, “It’s not over until it’s over,” a sentiment that would surely resonate with legendary catcher Yogi Berra, particularly for those in Boston right now.
Boston bars are gearing up for more action.
Scotland’s next match is set to take place against Morocco at Boston Stadium in Foxboro on Friday.
