Flag of convenience

PERHAPS Brahma and Antarctica have never heard Dr Johnson's dictum that “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” Brazil's two biggest brewers are trying to get clearance for their planned merger, which would give them about 70% of Brazil's domestic beer market, by wrapping themselves in the country's green-and-yellow flag. Only by joining forces, they argue, can Brazil boast a national champion mighty enough to take on the world's drinks giants.