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 on American soil since 1994, Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. in Rhode Island has launched a new beer named "It's Called Soccer." The American Golden Ale, packaged in a red, white, and blue can, draws its name from the longstanding chant used by American fans to assert the sport's identity against global norms. The product highlights the historical and linguistic debate surrounding the terms "soccer" and "football." Originally coined at Oxford University in the 1880s as a abbreviation for "association football," the term was common in British English before becoming distinctly associated with American usage. Brendan O’Donnell, the brewery’s CEO, inspired the brand by his childhood memories of the 1994 World Cup. The beer is designed to be approachable and shared, reflecting the collective spirit of fandom. This launch occurs amidst declining alcohol consumption rates in the US, leveraging the World Cup's massive platform to connect cultural history with modern craft brewing.
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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 on American soil since 1994, Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. in Rhode Island has launched a new beer named "It's Called Soccer." The American Golden Ale, packaged in a red, white, and blue can, draws its name from the longstanding chant used by American fans to assert the sport's identity against global norms. The product highlights the historical and linguistic debate surrounding the terms "soccer" and "football." Originally coined at Oxford University in the 1880s as a abbreviation for "association football," the term was common in British English before becoming distinctly associated with American usage. Brendan O’Donnell, the brewery’s CEO, inspired the brand by his childhood memories of the 1994 World Cup. The beer is designed to be approachable and shared, reflecting the collective spirit of fandom. This launch occurs amidst declining alcohol consumption rates in the US, leveraging the World Cup's massive platform to connect cultural history with modern craft brewing.