388 MALT AND BEEK IN SPANISH AMERICA. 



deal of advertising and expense to supplant Tennantfs bitter beer in this 

 province, which beer is also solely consumed in Guantanamo, Manza- 

 nillo, and Santa Cruz. 



OTTO E. KEIMER, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE. 



Santiago de Cuba, February 1, 1890. 



SAN DOMINGO. 



PUERTA PLATA. 



EXPORT BY CONSUL SIMPSON. 



MALT. 



No malt is imported into this district, nor is any beer made here. 



BEER. 



The imports of beer during 1889 were 14,904 dozens half bottles, and 

 the value (custom-house) $10,583.59. The duties amounted to $5,503.16, 

 or 52 per cent. With the exception of some 200 dozelis from the United 

 States, and a smaller quantity from Norway, the entire amount was re- 

 ceived from Germany. 



All beer is imported in cases, generally of 3 dozen half bottles, 

 that from Germany costing about $5.17, Mexican duties paid, per case 

 (depending on exchange) and from the United States 20 cents per dozen 

 half bottles more. It is sold at wholesale from $5.50 to $5.78 per case, 

 and retails for $2 per dozen. 



There are a number of different brands imported from Germany, but 

 the one most favorably received is labeled with a long T. Parties who 

 have received the article from the United States complain that in one 

 or two months 7 time it is entirely unfit for use, while that from Germany 

 keeps for years. This is probably due to the greater amount of alcohol 

 contained in the latter. 



Beer, to meet a ready sale in this market, must be strong and well 

 bottled or it will not keep, % 



The beer manufactured in the United States is undoubtedly su- 

 perior in quality to any other imported here, but it is useless to expect 

 people to drink an article that they know nothing about, when they are 

 getting one that suits them. I would suggest that if any manufacturers 

 consider the trade of this district worth looking after, that they procure 

 a sample of the kind most in demand, analyze it, and see if it will pay 

 to make. 



THOS. SIMPSON, 

 Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE. 



Puerto Plata, March 9, 1890. 



