Boston bars are bracing for another massive surge in beer consumption as Scotland’s passionate Tartan Army of soccer supporters prepares for its second weekend in the city — after fans came dangerously close to emptying several pubs dry during their first round of World Cup celebrations.
When Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 on Saturday in the country’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, bar workers were forced to rush emergency supplies to venues packed with tens of thousands of notoriously enthusiastic Scottish fans.
Billy DeCain, general manager of the Sam Adams Tap Room in downtown Boston, said the experience was unlike anything he had seen in three decades in the industry. “I’ve been in this business for over 30 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.
At one point during that first weekend, the bar had to arrange a special delivery truck directly from a Sam Adams brewery just to keep up with the relentless demand. Even with that emergency shipment, DeCain said he was worried they might be forced to sell only canned beer.
“We just about made it through. If we didn’t have those emergency deliveries it would have been a tall task,” DeCain said on Wednesday, as fans nursed pints while waiting for Friday’s upcoming match against Morocco.
Both the Haiti game and the Morocco match are being held at the large stadium in the suburban town of Foxborough — the home of the New England Patriots American football team.
DeCain offered an American frame of reference for understanding the level of excitement the Scottish fans brought with them, comparing it to what it would feel like if a beloved American football team made it to the Super Bowl for the very first time.
“You’re on adrenaline all weekend, and you could definitely see that,” he said of the Scots and their first World Cup adventure in nearly 30 years. “Do they ever sleep? Do they ever get tired? They were back at it the next day at 11 a.m.”
The Tartan Army’s enthusiasm extended well beyond the bars. On Sunday, fans marched through the streets to the sound of massed bagpipes, making their way to Fenway Park, the home stadium of the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said local residents immediately connected with the visiting fans’ deep passion for their sport. Wearing a blue Scotland shirt on the steps of Boston City Hall, Wu told reporters: “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 went on to heap further praise on the visiting supporters. “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. So, I hope that the Tartan Army will keep coming back to Boston.”
After Friday’s Morocco match, Scotland’s World Cup journey moves to Miami for a game against Brazil. Meanwhile, Boston will shift its focus to welcoming Scotland’s historic rival England, along with England’s own large contingent of traveling fans, ahead of England’s match against Ghana at Foxborough the following Tuesday.
