This is quite an interesting short history from a somewhat moderate Islamic point of view:

As people in Yemen undergo many changes in their way of life, and the country eagerly tries to accept from other cultures the good they may possess, something goes unexpected. Not long ago, and during the British Occupation in the southern part of Yemen, beer, wine along with other alcoholic drinks were gaining fame, and spreading like never before in this poor middle eastern country. Twelve years ago the National Brewing Company or the Seera beer factory was burned to the ground by northern troops during the North-South civil car. Every bottle of beer was broken. The beer factory was the first and only beer factory in Yemen. Tough procedures were taken place to insure that the existence of alcohol will never have roots in the country’s future.