Massachusetts is on a bender.
With no signs of a stinging hangover, the state’s beer sales growth during the first two weeks of the World Cup has been the strongest among US host markets, according to data from the Beer Institute, a national trade association.
During that period, beer sales at Massachusetts bars and restaurants rose 27.5 percent year-over-year, which is 9 percentage points greater than the next largest market, New York and New Jersey. Total beer sales across Massachusetts grew 12 percent compared to last year. That is four times greater than US host markets on average.
The trade group said it arrived at the numbers by analyzing data provided by the beer manufacturers and importers in its membership.
“This is like several Super Bowls over several weeks,” said Andrew Heritage, Beer Institute’s chief economist. “The World Cup is a stage like no other.”
The Super Bowl increases beer sales at bars and restaurants by 25 percent compared to the average selling week. Beer is the most popular drink for these events, Heritage said.
“Boston has embraced the World Cup,” Heritage said. “And beer calls for that occasion.”
Two weeks ago, Scots wiped out bars’ and liquor stores’ beer supplies after Boston hosted its first match between Haiti and Scotland.
When Foxborough hosted Morocco and Scotland a few days later, large crowds stumbled through downtown for more beer. That day, June 19, Boston bars and liquor stores ran low on seltzers and beer, according to interviews with business owners and managers.
Federal Wine & Spirits in Boston’s Financial District doubled its beer inventory for Scotland’s second gameday. The store also used a second register to keep up with fans packing its storefront.
“We were five times as busy as the Saturday before,” said store clerk Peter Zettel.
Since then, businesses have ordered extra shipments of beer, staffed more workers, and even closed some days in preparation.
Foxborough hosted a knockout match Monday between Germany and Paraguay. But on Union Street downtown — where many World Cup fans congregate to drink — restaurant and bar workers said fewer people strolled the street in the early afternoon than on other match days.
Massachusetts’s beer sales could continue to grow during the next two weeks. This week, a heat wave hits New England. America’s 250th celebration Saturday may draw large crowds to Boston, Cape Cod, Plymouth, and Martha’s Vineyard. A World Cup quarterfinal match will be held at Boston Stadium on July 9.
Redmond Bernhold can be reached at redmond.bernhold@globe.com.
