Scotland fans dry out Boston's bars as the Tartan Army descends for the World Cup

Boston bars are facing an unexpected challenge as more than 20,000 Scottish football fans flock to the city to cheer on their home team in the first two group stage matches. The arrival of thousands of members of the Tartan Army led to a serious beer shortage. These passionate fans not only focus on the field but also immerse themselves in American culture, including going to Fenway Park to watch a Boston Red Sox game.

The surge in beer-hungry fans has led to an unprecedented demand, with many bars across the city reporting beer shortages. Noelle Somers, chief executive of Hennessy's Bar in downtown Boston, highlighted the scale of the phenomenon, saying sales after Scotland's match against Haiti were three times that of St Patrick's Day. "We've been here more than 30 years and have never seen anything like this," she told the Boston Globe. The bar ran out of beer on Sunday night and had to restock it on Monday morning. Another delivery is expected to arrive on Thursday, ahead of Scotland's match against Morocco on Friday night.

Sam Adams Brewing Co. also saw runs at its Boston brewery over the weekend, when demand for its Boston lager was four times higher than during the holidays. Many of the city's bars became awash in blue, tartan prints, and Saltire flags as the Tartan Army made Boston their home. The only Scottish bar in the city, The Haven, has become a hub for Scotland fans. Ahead of the World Cup, owner Jason Waddleton ordered more than 100 kegs of Tennent's beer to ensure fans could enjoy their favorite drink.

Elsewhere, hundreds of England fans in Dallas defied police requests and did not leave the bar, after consuming more than 5,000 bottles of beer before the Three Lions' opening World Cup match. Many of these people stayed late at the Londoner Pub in this American city, with some in costume and wrapped in St George's flags. Although the bar advertised a later closing time, bar staff and two police officers told fans to leave by 10 p.m. The bar was eventually cleared, but many people remained on the balcony outside for the next few hours.