Free beer for gingers as Scotland returns to the World Cup after 28 years

A SCOTTISH brewery is offering free beer to ginger-haired football fans to celebrate Scotland’s return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

From 12-14 June, adults with naturally or artificially red hair can claim a free half pint of Vault City’s Fiery Ginger Iron Brew Sour Beer at the brewery’s Edinburgh taproom, The Wee Vault, as well as two Scottish-owned pubs in London.

The tongue-in-cheek giveaway comes as Scotland prepares for its first World Cup appearance since 1998, with supporters across the country gearing up to follow the national team on football’s biggest stage.

Fans can claim the free beer at The Wee Vault in Edinburgh, alongside Blue Monk and The Volley in London, where every World Cup match will be shown live throughout the tournament.

Scotland is widely recognised as having one of the highest proportions of redheads in the world, with around 13% of the population estimated to have ginger hair.

Steven Smith-Hay, co-founder of Vault City, said: “Scotland’s return to the World Cup is something many supporters have waited a lifetime to see, so we wanted to mark the occasion in a way that felt distinctly Scottish.

“There might not be a single ginger in the Scotland squad, but we reckon redheads deserve their moment too. If the team’s making history, it’s only fair the gingers get something to celebrate as well.”

“We’ve built a bit of a reputation for celebrating our national obsessions, and it doesn’t get much more Scottish than football, ginger hair and Iron Brew.

“Whether you’re watching from Edinburgh or supporting Scotland from down south, we wanted to raise a glass to the fans helping make this tournament feel special. It’s a great weekend to be ginger.”

The giveaway coincides with the release of Vault City’s limited-edition World Cup beers, including Fiery Ginger Iron Brew Sour Beer and Blue Brew, a bubblegum-flavoured sour beer inspired by Scotland’s favourite soft drinks.

Founded in Edinburgh in 2018, Vault City has become one of the UK’s best-known sour beer producers, with its beers now stocked in bars, bottle shops and supermarkets across the country.

The free beer offer is available from 12-14 June while stocks last. Customers must be aged 18 or over and may claim one complimentary half pint of Fiery Ginger Iron Brew Sour Beer.