Today's NY TIMES report that the Edinbugh-based Scottish & Newcastle PIC, makers of McEwans lager, is negotiating to buy all or part of the British interests of Foster Brewing of Australia, that is, Courtage Ltd., brewers of Foster's, Hofmeister, and Holstein lagers. The purchase, estimated at US $636-954 millions, would raise the market share of Scottish & Newcastle from 12% to 30% and thus vault it beyond Bass PLC. David Fahey (Miami Univ.) [log in to unmask] David M. Fahey History Department Miami University Oxford, OH 45056-1618, USA tel. 513-529-5134 FAX 513-529-3841 e-mail: <[log in to unmask]>