Beamish & Crawford has expanded its European markets portfolio following an agreement reached with the French brewing company, Brasserie Stella Artois, to distribute Beamish stout in bars in the new year. Mr John O'Callaghan, marketing manager for the Cork-based company, said the stout was already available in French off-licences but the latest move reflected an increased willingness by the French to sample foreign beers. The stout will be sold initially in 100 bars in Paris and the north east of the country where beer drinking was most established.