MALT AND BEER IN SPANISH AMERICA. 359 



As the figures show, the consumption of native beer is about 95 per 

 cent, of the total amount. The quality of the native beer is very fair, 

 and that of some breweries is really excellent, but it is always inferior 

 to Die average American beer. 



During the past few years there have been moderate importations 

 of beer from St. Louis, Mo., which has given good satisfaction as to its 

 quality. The difficulty so far in introducing good brands of American 

 beer in bottles, so as to compete successfully with other beer, whether 

 native or foreign, is its price. 



The probable cause of the higher price of American beer is the higher 

 ra to of freights. The best foreign beer, Bavarian and Norwegian, is 

 sold in the market to-day for $6 per dozen, which is equivalent to $3 

 American gold. 



If as good a quality of American beer could be placed on the same 

 or more favorable terms, I know of no reason why a large trade in beer 

 could not be built up with manufacturers in the United States. 



Great care should be given to the packing of the bottles. Com- 

 plaints of careless packing of all kinds of merchandise, on the part of 

 American exporters, are very common, and so far as my observation 

 goes the complaints are well-founded. The English and the French far 

 excel us in this respect. 



Very good brands of Bavarian beer are retailed for the equivalent of 

 40 cents, gold, per bottle. Other brands of Bavarian and all American 

 beer at 50 cents, gold, per bottle. Half bottles also should be sent. 



All foreign beer is imported into this market by about six importing 

 houses, who sell it with general merchandise. 



The duties on beer are specific, 12 cents, silver, a liter on beer in the 

 wood, and $1.25 per dozen on beer in bottles, also silver. Local 

 dues amount to about 60 cents on a case of four dozen bottles, in cur- 

 rency, or, say, 30 cents a case in gold. 



J. W. MERRIAM, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Iquique, May 17, 1890. 



TALCAHUANO. 



REPORT BY CONSUL VAN INQEN. 



MALT. 



All malt used here is made by the brewers who use it. The duties 

 are not given in the tariff. 



BEER. 



Then- is very little beer imported, as there are a great many German 

 breweries here. It is generally imported in bottles, and duty charged 

 thereon is about 94 cei ts, United States gold, per dozen bottles. 



