Alcohol, Islam, Vikings, and Necessity: A Short Speech
If the Rus of Kiev had established Islam as their national religion, the consumption of alcohol would have been tolerated/ignored/hidden because when you are growing a world religion you make allowances for cultural differences, especially when the local bunch of warriors at hand are capable and, dare I say, "bad-ass." From the Rus we go up the Volga River in the manner of Ibn-Fadlan (if you haven't read "Eaters of the Dead," especially the original paperback with the creepy illustrations, do!) and we hit the Baltic. Think of the trade possibilities alone! Islam is a warriors' religion, introduces literacy, sensible legal systems that get rid of annoying feuds and succession crises. Think of a single Scandistan united under the Caliphate of Oslo. The scenario is entirely possible and chock full SAB's (Scary Ass Butterflies) if you're into that sort of thing, we're not above it, times being what they are...