Rhode Island Brewery Launches 'It's Called Soccer' Beer Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first to be hosted in the United States since 1994, Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. in Rhode Island has launched a new beer named "It’s Called Soccer." The American Golden Ale serves as a tribute to the decades-long chant used by American fans to distinguish their sport from American football. The article explores the linguistic origins of the term "soccer," noting it was coined at Oxford University in the 1880s as a abbreviation of "association football." While the term was once common in British English, its usage declined there as it became strongly associated with American vernacular. Brendan O’Donnell, CEO of the brewery, drew inspiration from his childhood memories of the 1994 World Cup. This launch occurs amidst a challenging market for the beer industry, with consumption at near ninety-year lows. Major competitors like Michelob Ultra and Budweiser are also leveraging the tournament for marketing, highlighting the World Cup as a critical cultural and commercial moment for brewers in 2026.
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Rhode Island Brewery Launches 'It's Called Soccer' Beer Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first to be hosted in the United States since 1994, Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. in Rhode Island has launched a new beer named "It’s Called Soccer." The American Golden Ale serves as a tribute to the decades-long chant used by American fans to distinguish their sport from American football. The article explores the linguistic origins of the term "soccer," noting it was coined at Oxford University in the 1880s as a abbreviation of "association football." While the term was once common in British English, its usage declined there as it became strongly associated with American vernacular. Brendan O’Donnell, CEO of the brewery, drew inspiration from his childhood memories of the 1994 World Cup. This launch occurs amidst a challenging market for the beer industry, with consumption at near ninety-year lows. Major competitors like Michelob Ultra and Budweiser are also leveraging the tournament for marketing, highlighting the World Cup as a critical cultural and commercial moment for brewers in 2026.