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Is still what the Koran calls alcohol. But as a writer for the always entertaining Modern Drunkard Magazine points out, a lot of people living in Muslim countries risk jail and torture for a nice, tall, cold one. I continue to be fascinated with Iran's underground drinking economy.

Where liquor stores are outlawed, everywhere is a potential liquor store. Ponder that beautiful fact for a moment: every place other than a mosque bears some possibility of being a place to get trashed. In Kerman, I visited a photocopy shop. While waiting for my copies, the attendant asked in a whisper whether I wanted beer. Still a little on edge over the whole flogging-your-back-to-ribbons thing, I said something noncommittal. He took it correctly to be an enthusiastic yes. In the back room, I bought six Efes beers (a Turkish brand) and drank two with him right then, next to the laminating machine. Try getting that quality of service at your local Kinko's.

More here.

Post by Bill Piper.
http://www.nooked.com/news/itemtrack...0e8aace6fd2501

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