Egypt foaming over beer sales

The economic and political situations may be serious here, but they're not stopping Egyptians from consuming more alcohol or expanding the party scene, party-goers and club owners told The Media Line recently.

The increase in booze consumption has boosted revenues for the clubs, bars, and the Egyptian government as well from taxes collected on the brew.

Peter Matta, an Egyptian in his mid-30s known for organizing events and parties, was asked by The Media Line whether parties and drinking have increased since the revolution.

"Many! Way more parties," he said. "People are crazy. There always are so many parties always going on. We can't keep up anymore, and I'm very involved in the scene. There are more local DJs, more parties, more exposure, more international DJs. People are drinking more now. We all have noticed that."

Mohammed Fahmy from Maadi, a Cairo suburb, said his drinking habits have remained the same since the revolution despite soaring prices for alcoholic drinks. "My spending is the same, but prices are more for sure. Despite $15 cocktails, I still go out and have a few drinks," he told The Media Line.

The increase in drinking and partying is a bit easier to explain when you consider that Egypt was the first nation on earth to ferment barley to produce what known today as beer. The tradition of drinking beer is well accepted among many Egyptian Muslims and non-Muslims despite the fact that there is a prohibition against drinking intoxicants in the Koran.