THE Tartan Army are reportedly drinking Boston dry, with bars across the city seeing record sales as Scotland fans have cemented their world-famous reputation for partying.
Tens of thousands of Scotland fans have been celebrating their team's first appearance at the World Cup in 28 years in America over the last week.
On Sunday, John McGinn secured Scotland’s first win at the tournament since 1990 as Steve Clarke’s men managed to see off Haiti in a 1-0 victory.
Even before Saturday night's game, bars and restaurants across Boston were packed out with Scotland fans, with a new law dubbed the “Tartan Army Bill” being passed last week to allow more than 140 businesses to stay open later for the tournament.
Sam Adams said its Boston Taproom ran out of its Samuel Adams Boston Lager over the weekend due to the Tartan Army drinking the bar dry.
They added that between Thursday and Sunday, they sold four times as many Boston Lagers as it normally sells during a typical four-day holiday stretch like the Fourth of July.
According to local reports, the business had to schedule an emergency delivery on Saturday morning just to keep up with the demand.
Elsewhere, Hennessy’s Bar in Boston said that it tripled its St. Patrick’s Day sales and sold out of beer altogether on Sunday night, according to The Boston Globe.
“We’ve been here for over 30 years, and we’ve never seen anything like it,” said Noelle Somers, Hennessy’s chief operating officer.
Meanwhile, Kari Kuelzer, owner of Grendel’s Den, located near Harvard, said the Tartan Army had turned “ordinary match days into something unforgettable,” according to The Scottish Sun.
Kuelzer said: “We’re used to handling big crowds of merry sports fans who enjoy beer.
“We see them during the Head of the Charles Regatta, or Harvard homecoming games, but the Tartan Army has to be the most fun crowd, hands down. We love the outfits, the accents, and all the good cheer.
“We’ve had Scottish fans singing, laughing, making friends with locals, and turning ordinary match days into something unforgettable. The only challenge has been rolling in the kegs fast enough.”
Dave DuBois, co-owner of The Citizen, based next to Fenway Park where Scots packed out the stadium to watch the Red Sox, reportedly said his bartenders are now making “whisky sours in their sleep”.
He added: “The Tartan Army is not to be underestimated. We’ve seen them invade Fenway Park and take over a Red Sox game, proving that you don’t have a to be a Boston local or even a Sox fan to have a good time in Fenway.
“The energy they’re bringing to Boston is unmatched and will be sorely missed when they’re gone.”
Scotland fans are unlikely to slow down the partying as they face Morocco at the Boston Stadium at 11pm on Friday. The team is looking to make history and progress out of their World Cup group for the first time.
