Hello,
I went to Glasgow, Scotland to visit relatives in May 2005. My cousin's boyfriend was a cop and my uncle was a former city councilman. They had lived there all their lives and told me a lot about the city. There is a lot of "county housing" (the equivalent of projects) and a lot of soccer hooligans. My family refused to go to a soccer/football game because they were too violent and crazy. My cousin's boyfriend, the cop, said that whenever Celtic and the Rangers play each other, someone always gets killed in a bar fight. While I hope they keep glass pints, I understand because there are more than enough bar fights.
- Tim, 21

Thanks for your email. While I agree that there is violence in Glasgow, isn't there also violence everywhere? And while glasses and glass bottles are undeniably weapons, aren't also forks and knives and the like? Those who cause violence during and after football matches are likely as not planning such violence well before they leave for the grounds, so they'll probably be armed with much more efficient weaponry.

Bar fights are indeed an issue in Glasgow, but with all of 81 instances of glassing or bottling in all of 2005, I still think that the council's move is a dire overreaction. And can you imagine the effect it will eventually have on tourism in the city? Not just from visitors who are handed their first beer in a plastic glass and promptly decide they'd be better off drinking elsewhere, but also from the reinforcement of the city's image as a violent place to people planning travel within the British Isles?

I had this really great beer this past weekend in a Fish Market in Palm Springs, called 'Bahia' It has a picture of a swordfish on it. It has a little bit of a 'Corona' flavor but much lighter. Anyway the reason I am writing you is because I had never had it before and would love to get some. My friends who turned me on to it, cannot find it anywhere. I have done some net searching and cannot find it either. Do you know where I might get this beer?
- Michaelle Kelly

Bahia is brewed by Cervecería Centro Americana of Guatemala (www.cerveceria.com.gt) and imported by Central Beer of Florida (www.centralbeer.com).

I just stumbled on your website and was reading your article about Sleeman Brewing. I fell in love with their Cream Ale when I was in Ottawa in 1993. I have been trying to get it down here in Missouri ever since. When I travel to Canada, which isn't enough anymore, I always try to get it at restaurants. I haven't been back since 1998, so I had no idea his operation had grown this much. Do you have any information on when or if we can see his products in the states?

I also found a brew I liked in Halifax, but I am unable to locate it on line, so I don't know if they are still around or not. I'm not sure of the name anymore, but I think it was called Black Pearl and was an Indian Cream Ale.
- Craig

I've good news for you, Craig. The Cream Ale and other Sleeman brands are available in the States right now, although I don't know if they've hit Missouri yet. Contact sleemanUSA.com.
Black Pearl was a brand of the Maritime Brewing Company of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, which is now owned by Sleeman. I do not believe they are any longer producing that particular brand.

Steve,
Know what is going on with Bard's beer?..they update their own website rarely. I tasted the beer (I am gluten intolerant)…I like it. I live in Nevada, so, can't get it regularly …but, now last I heard there was a problem with too much carbonation and my friends who live in areas where the beer was available can no longer get it. Any ideas?
- Chet

I am told that Bard's had some productions problems but is set for a relaunch soon. The beer was supposed to be present at the Gluten-Free Beer Festival in England: http://worldofbeer.com/events/

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