Scottish World Cup fans drain Boston bars of beer

Scottish soccer fans visiting Boston for the 2026 World Cup have helped drive an unusual beer shortage at bars and pubs across the city. After Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 at Gillette Stadium and fans turned out for a "Scotland Day" event at Fenway Park, venues reported demand far beyond normal levels, with some running out of popular beers entirely.

Boston Beer Co., parent of Sam Adams, said its Boston Taproom sold through Samuel Adams Boston Lager over the weekend as Scotland supporters drank about four times the amount typically sold during a busy four-day holiday stretch. The company said it arranged an emergency delivery on Saturday morning and planned extra deliveries for the week to restock the taproom.

Other businesses also reported being overwhelmed. Hennessy’s Bar in downtown Boston said sales tripled its usual St. Patrick’s Day level and that it sold out of beer on Sunday night. Federal Wine & Spirits said it ran out of Budweiser and Corona on Saturday, and a refrigerator door broke after being opened and closed so often.

The supporters, known as the Tartan Army, have spent the past several days moving between restaurants, pubs, and stadium events, creating an unusually lively atmosphere in the city. Scotland is scheduled to play Morocco next at Gillette Stadium, and local businesses are hoping supplies hold up for the next wave of fans.