email (because I question everything) from Panther:
___________________________________
Dave,

Yes, this is normal, the small area around the bead is a glue channel. This
helps keep the glue from getting on your tire and the wheel. also you can
put a little extra CA on the tires and run it around the bead area to get a
better gluing without getting it all over the tire.

Panther
_____________________________________
Exactly like Rich said (like there was any doubt).