S. Worthen | Weblog

http://www.geocities.com/sky_lar/nfldscreech.html

It is a kind of rum of dubious quality that is consumed primarily in Newfoundland. No one in their right mind would really want to drink it, except to have the privilege of claiming that one had done so.

Another important quality of screech is the role it plays in the Newfoundland tradition of 'screeching in' people from away. Basically, the person from away has to go through a series of actions, including kissing the posterior of a puffin and eating the head of a small fish (sorry I can't remember the exact name). The whole event is finished by the consumption of a shot of screech. Screech is indeed rum. It's a dark rum that was traditionally brought in from the Caribbean and is quite strong. My sister loves screech and everytime we go to the Rock we have to bring back some real Newfoundland Screech, though you can get it in most liquor stores in Canada. I've never tried screech and I've never been screeched in, even though I have been to Newfoundland.