MALT AND BEER IN SPANISH AMERICA. 339 



CENTRAL AMERICA. 

 COSTA RICA. 



REPORT BY CONSUL MACKAY, OF SAN JOSE. 

 MALT. 



During the year 1888 the value of malt imported into Costa Eica was 

 $1,088.06 United States currency. A small proportion of this amount 

 was imported from Europe, but the larger part was brought from the 

 United States, principally from San Francisco. 



The duty charged upon malt is 2 cents per kilogram in Costa Rica 

 currency, which is usually at a discount of .50 on United States gold. 



This malt is usually imported already prepared for use. 



Malt can be placed here, duties, freight, etc., paid for $1.65 United, 

 States currency, per bushel. 



BEER. 



The value of beer imported into Costa Eica in 1888 was $51,031.33 

 United States currency, the greater part of which came from Germany, 

 although a fair proportion of beer is introduced from the United States. 



All beer is imported jn bottles. The duty on beer in bottles or kegs 

 is 7 cents per kilogram, Costa Eican currency. The darker and sweeter 

 beers are, I believe, preferred. 



Beer is imported in pint bottles, that being found the most salable 

 form. Foreign beer is sold here at from 40 cents to 50 cents per pint 

 coin of the country), and native beer is sold at 10 cents per pint. 



I am informed by an importer that the expense of importing beer 

 duties, freights, commissions, exchange, etc., amounts to 300 per cent 

 of the original cost. 



Beer is imported here by wholesale dealers, who sell to the retailers, 

 by whom it is placed on the market. 



Malt is imported almost wholly by the three breweries of the country, 

 two of which are here, and the other in Cartago. 



The consumption of foreign beer is entirely confined to the wealthier 

 classes. 



BECKFORD MACKEY, 

 Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



San Jost, Costa Rica, March 3, 1890. 



