An Islamist movement in Algeria has lead to the shuttering of the country's oldest bars, the rise of fly-by-night networks of suppliers, and secret sales of liquor in people's homes--all signs that the country is in the middle of its own prohibition era.The Guardian's article today on Algeria's current situation isn't the stuff of Nucky Thompson and the gang of HBO's Boardwalk Empire (or that clunky Budwesider commercial) nor does it seem as fun or clichéd as the trend of speakeasy bars.

"At Sétif, an unlicensed vendor does the rounds to his customers with a van and a mobile phone," reports Isabelle Mandraud who adds that the shuttering of bars has given rise to new habits. "From the middle of the afternoon onwards, it is commonplace to see cars parked beside the road with the occupants setting up a bar on the bonnet and enjoying a beer. The verges are littered with beer cans." Mandraud reports that "Actual consumption has not dropped, indeed it may have increased a little."

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Alexander Abad-Santos