Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 04/05) - The Storehouse bar and grill in Iqaluit was forced to temporarily close due to a beer shortage.

On June 16, 17 and 18, it closed early. Knowing reserves were running short, the bar divided up the remainder of its supply, leaving 1,500 cold ones a night.

By 9:30 p.m., on each night, it was out of beer and locked the door.

On June 20, it closed for the whole day.

"It's frustrating. Most of the staff are on contract and it is their main income. They were complaining, but there is nothing we can do," said general manager Sylvia Tuckwood.

The bar could have stayed open, but the idea of a roomful of people drinking only spirits was too much for Tuckwood.

"In the past, they found that it is harder to deal with. We opted to close when the beer ran out," said Tuckwood.

Patrick Galbraith, director of Nunavut liquor management, blames the airlines for the shortage.

At the Navigator Inn, there was no shortage of beer.

"We always plan ahead. We've been here long enough to know what the shortages are like," said manager Diane Webb.