Yellowknife (Oct 20/06) - The bar is full, and the chatter is loud. But everyone is drinking water.

Could this be the future of Yellowknife? Maybe, if pubs around the capital continue to have problems getting niche beers from their distributors.

Black Knight bartender Dale Bardeau said beer shortages, like the one now afflicting Yellowknife bars, makes his job harder. - Jessica Klinkenberg/NNSL photo

"Right now I'm missing three things on tap. One of them I haven't had for over a month," said Pierre Garsonnin, manager of the Black Knight pub.

During the last few months, bars have seen delays in shipments of ales like Kilkenny and Keiths.

"We've seen some minor interruptions. But they're addressing the issue," said Peter Maher, acting general manager of the NWT Liquor Commission. He said things are now running smoothly.

Garsonnin begs to differ, though. "The problem I'm having is that I don't get a straight story."

Pierre LePage, from LeFrolic Bistro Bar, has learned that there isn't much he can do when the brew stops flowing. "I've been open for seven years. We've learned to work around it. We get a different story every time," LePage said.

Garsonnin was told by the Liquor Commission the problem was with alcohol distributors Connect Logistics in St. Albert, Alta.

George Rodziewicz, with Connect Logistics' media division, said increased demand and labour shortages have led to problems with their distribution of imported ales. (Brewers like Molson and Labatt deliver their own product, he said.)

"It makes my job harder," Black Knight bartender Dale Bardeau said of the shortage.

"There's a couple of imported products (missing)," Steve Dinham from the Monkey Tree said.

LePage said that all he can do is explain to customers that the bar is out that drink. "There's not much you can do about it."