Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (May 13/02) - The city ran out of beer last week.

During the spring, beer from the last season's sealift usually runs out. So for a few months, Iqaluit's Liquor Warehouse relies on Canadian North to bring the beer into the city.

But the airline can't deliver beer fast enough to keep up with normal demand.

Iqaluit goes through about 24,000 cans of beer a week. As of last Friday morning, the warehouse had just three six packs left.

Last week, the warehouse received a meagre 2,888 beers. Staff tried to keep bar owners happy by spreading it around.

Still, bars lost business, couldn't serve cranky customers and even closed early.

Liquor Commission manager Ron Courtoreille said Canadian North is taking steps to speed up delivery. And First Air will now haul beer from Yellowknife.

But it's hard to argue that beer is more important than people and food, he said. "The movement of people and food takes priority over beer," he said. Running dry occasionally is "just one of those things that happens."

Last Friday, manager of warehouse Jean-Pierre Cloutier was awaiting a delivery of about 11,520 beers.

"It's not enough," he said. "But it will be something to put in the bars."