World Cup 2026 News - The Beer Thrillers https://thebeerthrillers.com Central PA beer enthusiasts and beer bloggers. Homebrewers, brewery workers, and all around beer lovers. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 01:24:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://i0.wp.com/thebeerthrillers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cropped-The-Beer-Thrillers-December-2022-Logo.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 World Cup 2026 News - The Beer Thrillers https://thebeerthrillers.com 32 32 187558884 Scotland Fans Drink Boston Lager Dry During 2026 FIFA World Cup, Forcing Emergency Beer Deliveries https://thebeerthrillers.com/2026/06/19/scotland-fans-drink-boston-lager-dry-during-2026-fifa-world-cup-forcing-emergency-beer-deliveries/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=scotland-fans-drink-boston-lager-dry-during-2026-fifa-world-cup-forcing-emergency-beer-deliveries Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:59:14 +0000 https://thebeerthrillers.com/?p=16898 Scotland Fans Drink Boston Lager Dry During 2026 FIFA World Cup, Forcing Emergency Beer Deliveries

If you ever needed proof that soccer fans know how to support a brewery, look no further than Boston this past weekend.

Scotland’s Tartan Army march toward Fenway Park. Bob Dechiara-Imagn Images

Thousands of supporters from Scotland’s legendary Tartan Army descended on Boston for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and in the process managed to accomplish something that few beer drinkers ever have—they temporarily drank the Samuel Adams Boston Taproom out of its flagship Boston Lager.

According to Boston Beer Company, demand for Boston Lager was so overwhelming that the brewery had to arrange an emergency beer delivery after sales reached roughly four times the volume of a typical holiday weekend, including busy stretches like the Fourth of July.

Scotland’s Tartan Army Creates a Beer Shortage in Boston

The Scottish national team’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years has brought an incredible wave of supporters across the Atlantic, and Boston has quickly become one of the tournament’s biggest party destinations.

From Thursday through Sunday, fans packed bars, pubs, restaurants, and the Samuel Adams Boston Taproom, creating one of the busiest weekends the brewery has ever experienced.

“We’ve never seen anything like it,” said Billy DeCain of the Sam Adams Boston Taproom during an interview with NBC Boston.

Rather than sampling the brewery’s extensive draft lineup—which features around twenty beers, including numerous taproom-exclusive releases—most visitors overwhelmingly chose one beer:

Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

Boston Beer Company said it has already increased beer deliveries throughout the week to ensure the taproom remains stocked for the remainder of Scotland’s stay.

It’s Not Just Samuel Adams Feeling the Demand

The surge wasn’t limited to one brewery.

Boston-area bars also reported record-breaking beer sales as Scotland supporters packed nearly every establishment within walking distance of the city’s major attractions.

At The White Bull Tavern, staff reported running through nearly everything they had available.

“Pretty much everything. We ran out of everything,” said Paul Morris of the tavern. “Tennent’s being number one.”

Scottish supporter Dave Orr joked that when one pub finally ran dry, the only remaining option was Bud Light after the Scottish fans had emptied the taps.

Meanwhile, Hennessy’s Bar experienced what may have been one of the biggest weekends in its history.

Chief Operating Officer Noelle Somers told the Boston Globe that beer sales actually tripled what the bar typically sees on St. Patrick’s Day—a remarkable benchmark considering Boston’s reputation for celebrating the Irish holiday.

“We’ve been here for over 30 years, and we’ve never seen anything like it,” Somers said.

Scotland’s Victory Keeps the Celebration Going

The celebrations only intensified after Scotland earned a 1-0 victory over Haiti at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.

Fans flooded back into downtown Boston after the match, filling bars well into the early morning hours before turning their attention to another uniquely Boston tradition.

Less than 24 hours later, thousands attended Scotland Day at Fenway Park, where the Boston Red Sox welcomed international visitors with a celebration of Scottish culture.

The festivities included a fan march led by bagpipe players from Evans Way Park to Fenway, with estimates suggesting at least 5,000 supporters participated before thousands more entered the ballpark for the Red Sox matchup against the Texas Rangers.

Why This Matters for Craft Beer

Large sporting events have long been a boost for local breweries, but the 2026 FIFA World Cup is demonstrating just how significant that impact can be.

While many breweries prepare for concerts, holiday weekends, or playoff games, international soccer tournaments bring thousands of thirsty visitors into a city over several consecutive days. For breweries, taprooms, and neighborhood pubs, that can translate into record-breaking draft sales, increased tourism, and valuable exposure to drinkers from around the world.

For Samuel Adams, the unexpected popularity of Boston Lager serves as a reminder that sometimes the classic flagship beer is exactly what visitors want. Despite having an extensive draft list filled with seasonal and taproom-exclusive offerings, Scotland supporters overwhelmingly chose the beer that helped define Boston’s craft beer scene decades ago.

With Scotland scheduled to return to Gillette Stadium later this week to face Morocco, Boston Beer Company has already increased deliveries in anticipation of another wave of thirsty supporters.

If last weekend is any indication, Boston Lager may once again become one of the hottest pours in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Samuel Adams really run out of Boston Lager?

Yes. Boston Beer Company confirmed that the Samuel Adams Boston Taproom temporarily ran out of Boston Lager after Scotland supporters purchased roughly four times the beer the brewery normally sells during a comparable four-day holiday weekend.

Why were there so many Scottish fans in Boston?

Scotland qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the nation’s first appearance in the tournament in 28 years. Thousands of members of the famous Tartan Army traveled to Boston to support the national team.

Did other Boston bars experience record sales?

Yes. Several Boston-area pubs reported unprecedented demand. Hennessy’s Bar said sales exceeded even St. Patrick’s Day, while other establishments reported running out of multiple beer brands due to the influx of fans.

What does this mean for local breweries?

Major international sporting events like the FIFA World Cup can significantly increase taproom traffic, draft beer sales, tourism, and brand exposure for breweries located in host cities, making them some of the most impactful events for the hospitality and craft beer industries.

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Back to the Future:

Scrooged:

Groundhog Day:

A Christmas Story:

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Pro Wrestling:

Soccer:

World Cup:

Phillies:

Philadelphia Eagles:

Matrix:

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Mario:

HP Lovecraft / Cthulhu:

Seinfeld:

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Jason Voorhees / Friday the 13th:

Other:

 


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If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer ReviewsHike ReviewsBook ReviewsBrewery News, Brewery OpeningsBrewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – FacebookFacebook GroupTwitterInstagramYouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We are also now on BlueSky as well, so make sure to check us out there also. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server).

We also now have a SLACK channel – which acts as a hybrid chat room, message board, Reddit style; workspace and posting area for us. You can hang out with us there and chat about all kinds of things – not just beer, but “off topic” things like movies, TV, books, podcasts, hiking, sports, and more! Join us at: The Beer Thrillers on SLACK.

We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written. The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of May 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

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World Cup Kickoff Meets Craft Beer Culture https://thebeerthrillers.com/2026/06/11/world-cup-kickoff-meets-craft-beer-culture/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=world-cup-kickoff-meets-craft-beer-culture Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:06:24 +0000 https://thebeerthrillers.com/?p=16907 World Cup Kickoff Meets Craft Beer Culture

World Cup and Beer – Breweries Bring People Together

June 11 marks the kickoff of the World Cup, one of the most globally unifying sporting events on the planet. Every four years, time zones blur, sleep schedules get wrecked, and entire nations rally behind ninety minutes of hope and heartbreak. But for craft beer fans—especially here in Pennsylvania—it’s also a perfect excuse to turn matches into full-on tasting events.

The World Cup isn’t just about soccer. It’s about culture. And few things represent culture more tangibly than beer.

A Global Tournament, A Global Tap List

One of the most fun ways to celebrate the World Cup is by drinking along with the teams. Each match becomes an opportunity to explore a country’s brewing traditions—or at least a craft interpretation of them.

  • Watching Germany? Reach for a crisp helles lager or a hefeweizen from a local brewery putting their spin on Bavarian classics.

  • Rooting for Belgium? Time to crack open a dubbel, tripel, or a Belgian-style golden ale—bonus points if it’s deceptively strong.

  • England match on? A malt-forward ESB or a smooth pub ale fits the bill.

  • Supporting Mexico? A light lager works, but craft versions with lime or salt twists elevate the experience.

Pennsylvania breweries have leaned heavily into global styles over the years, so there’s a good chance you can build a “World Cup flight” without leaving the state.

Pennsylvania Breweries Join the Party

Local breweries are no strangers to big-event energy, and the World Cup provides a built-in theme for taproom engagement. Expect to see:

  • Early opening hours for morning matches

  • International-themed tap takeovers or rotating drafts

  • Soccer watch parties with projector screens and packed patios

  • Limited releases tied to participating countries or teams

Some breweries even organize bracket-style competitions—not just for the games, but for beers. Think “IPA vs. Lager” showdowns running parallel to knockout rounds.

For beer bloggers and content creators, this is prime time. A simple “match + beer pairing” series can drive engagement, especially if you’re highlighting local breweries alongside international styles.

Beer Pairings by Match Intensity

Not all games are created equal, and your beer choice can match the energy:

  • Early Group Stage Matches: Easy-drinking lagers, kölsches, or session IPAs. You’re pacing yourself.

  • Rivalry Games: Go bold—double IPAs, imperial stouts, or barrel-aged offerings.

  • Knockout Rounds: Something special. A rare bottle, a vertical tasting, or a brewery-exclusive release.

  • The Final: Champagne of beers? Maybe. But a well-crafted saison or a celebratory wild ale feels more on brand.

The Social Side of Soccer and Beer

At its core, both soccer and craft beer thrive on community. Whether you’re packed into a brewery in Harrisburg, watching from a quiet taproom near Jersey Shore, or hosting friends at home, the shared experience is what makes it memorable.

There’s something uniquely satisfying about hearing a room erupt after a goal while holding a pint that was brewed just miles away. It grounds a global event in something local and tangible.

Final Whistle Thoughts

The World Cup only comes around every four years, but the creativity of craft beer is constant. Bringing the two together turns every match into more than just a game—it becomes an experience.

So as the tournament kicks off on June 11, consider planning your own beer lineup alongside the match schedule. Explore new styles, support local breweries, and maybe even discover a new favorite along the way.

Because in the end, whether your team lifts the trophy or crashes out early, at least your beer game can still be world class.

 

All of Our Nerd Content

Here’s all of our nerd content, served up best in one single place. Enjoy!

I know ya’ll here for the nerd reviews. So check out our other nerd reviews below:

Star Wars:

Futurama

Lord of the Rings:

Magic the Gathering:

Heroes of Barcadia:

Zelda:

Rick and Morty:

Space Balls:

Game of Thrones:

The Simpsons:

Back to the Future:

Scrooged:

Groundhog Day:

A Christmas Story:

The Peanuts:

Pro Wrestling:

Soccer:

World Cup:

Phillies:

Philadelphia Eagles:

Matrix:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

Mario:

HP Lovecraft / Cthulhu:

Seinfeld:

The Muppets:

Jason Voorhees / Friday the 13th:

Other:

 


Follow The Beer Thrillers

For more updates on Pennsylvania brewery news, closures, openings, and expansions, follow The Beer Thrillers on social media and subscribe for the latest articles on the state’s ever-evolving craft beer scene.

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer ReviewsHike ReviewsBook ReviewsBrewery News, Brewery OpeningsBrewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – FacebookFacebook GroupTwitterInstagramYouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We are also now on BlueSky as well, so make sure to check us out there also. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server).

We also now have a SLACK channel – which acts as a hybrid chat room, message board, Reddit style; workspace and posting area for us. You can hang out with us there and chat about all kinds of things – not just beer, but “off topic” things like movies, TV, books, podcasts, hiking, sports, and more! Join us at: The Beer Thrillers on SLACK.

We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written. The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of May 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

 

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