World Buckfast Day

World Buckfast Day celebrates Buckfast Tonic Wine, a caffeinated fortified wine produced at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England. The drink is based on a French recipe and was first made by Benedictine monks at the abbey in the 1890s. It was originally sold in small quantities as a medicinal drink; after the abbey lost its license to sell wine in 1927, J. Chandler & Company began distributing it on the monks’ behalf, while production continued at the abbey. The Scotsman’s history of the drink describes how its modern form developed in the 1920s.

In Scotland, Buckfast is often called “Buckie,” “Commotion Lotion,” or “Wreck the Hoose Juice.” It has a strong cultural association with Scotland and Ireland, but its popularity has also brought controversy, particularly because the drink combines alcohol and caffeine and has been linked in public debate with antisocial behavior. The drink’s makers and distributors have disputed claims that Buckfast itself is responsible for such behavior.

The observance began as National Buckfast Day in 2015 and was organized by the fan group Wreck The Hoose Juice. It became World Buckfast Day in 2016, with the second Saturday in May established as its date. Past celebrations have included gatherings, pub events, food, and cocktails in locations ranging from the United Kingdom and Ireland to Australia and the Caribbean. The drink’s distributor has said that it should be enjoyed responsibly; a 2016 report from the Daily Record covered the observance’s move from a national celebration to a global one.

How to Observe World Buckfast Day

Celebrate by learning about Buckfast’s history and its connection to Buckfast Abbey, or by trying the tonic wine if you choose to drink it. You could also check whether a local pub is holding a Buckfast-themed gathering, prepare food inspired by the drink, or share the day with friends. If you drink, enjoy responsibly.

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