336 MALT AND BEER IN SPANISH AMERICA. 



German beers are placed upon this market by direct orders from 

 Mexican commercial houses (generally German). 



American beers shipped in bottles follow same course. 



In shipping keg beer, refrigerator cars for transporting the beer, 

 and storage rooms or beer warehouses at convenient distributing points 

 are required. At Eagle Pass, several beer warehouses have been es- 

 tablished by United States I reweries from the East; these warehouses 

 are supplied with ice for cold storage from the local ice factory. 



St. Louis, Chicago, and Milwaukee ship beer to this market. 



The total value of beer of United States origin arriving at this port, 

 in bond, for fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $27,928.40, United 

 States currency. 



The consumption of beer is largely increasing in Mexico, and mark- 

 edly so in the northern States of the Eepublic. 



In the southern portions of Mexico pulque is a universal beverage, 

 and its cheapness will prevent its replacement by beer as the drink of 

 the poorer classes. 



In the northern States there is no pulque, and the only native or local 

 drink is the fiery mescal. Foreign beers, in the absence of pulque, sup- 

 ply the need for a mild drink or beverage. 



The Mexican people quickly acquire the beer-drinking habit. The 

 only bar to consumption is the cost; beer, to be consumed in large quan- 

 tities, should be cheap. 



The import duties of from 20 cents to 30 cents per kilogram are very 

 high. 



EUGENE O. FECHET, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Piedras Negras, January 30, 1890. 



SALTILLO. 



REPORT BY CONSUL WOESSNER. 

 BEER. 



Complying with the instructions in the Department's circular of 

 December 15, 1889, 1 have endeavored to give such facts as I hope may 

 be found useful to the business men of our country who are seek- 

 ing to extend their trade with a people whom, I believe, are ready to 

 meet them at least half way. The beer imported into my district is of 

 American make, and comes from Milwaukee, St. Louis, New York, New 

 Orleans, and San Antonio, and is of a good quality. It comes in pint 

 bottles, ten dozen in a cask, and usually sells at $28 to $30 per cask, 

 Mexican money (American exchange, is wortli at present about 32 per- 

 cent, premium). The pint bottles formerly retailed at 37J cents each, 



