as reported in the American Brewers’ Review – 1905
Some time ago, the American Brewers’ Review received an inquiry from a subscriber as to the brewing trade in the Argentine Republic, which it was unable to answer. It has now, through the courtesy of the Department of State, secured a report on the subject from the American consul-general at Buenos Aires, Mr. D. Mayer, which is herewith published, in the belief that the information will be of general interest to the trade. The quantities and values given in the original report have in each case been converted into American measures (barrels and dollars). The latter figures being inserted in parenthesis.
The first breweries were established in the country in about the year 1870 and according to the census of 1895, there were 61 breweries in the Argentine Republic, with a capital of $8,843,589. In 1894 the breweries brewed 156,414 hectolitres (134,069 barrels) of beer. Twelve of the breweries belonged to Argentine citizens, and 49 to foreigners. The machinery amounted to 1,120 hp; the capacity of the vats was 2,220 hectolitres (1,902 barrels). Eleven of the breweries had refrigerating machinery. There are four breweries in the city of Buenos Aires, thirty-three in the Province of Buenos Aires, and twenty-four breweries in the other provinces of the Argentine Republic, according to the census of 1895.
The registered brewery companies working in the city of Buenos Aires, are as follows:
Bieckett’s Brewery. – Registered January 15, 1900. Capital. £360,000 ($1,800,000),in 30,000 common and 30,000 preference shares of £6 (($30) each, fully paid up, the latter being entitled to a cumulative dividend of 5%, payable on July 1 for the year ending March 31, and to priority for capital, without further participation: £270,000 ($1,350,000) in 4% first debentures; £210,000 ($1,050,000) 6% income second debenture stock. Originally formed to acquire the brewery business in Buenos Aires established by Mr. Bieckert. Purchase price, £1,000,000 ($5,000,000), being the whole existing debenture and share capital. Reconstituted in 1900. No dividend has yet been paid on the ordinary shares, but the preference dividend has been paid when due to date.
Cerveceria Argentina de Quilmes. – Registered April, 1889. Capital, $600,000 gold, in 600 shares of $1,000 each, fully subscribed and paid up. The company has issued $200,000 gold in 6% debentures and has paid dividends which vary between 6% and 11% per annum. This brewery, the largest in the country, gives employment to about 1,000 workmen, women, and children. This brewery can produce 120,000 litres (1,022 barrels) of beer per day, and the cellars have a capacity of 30,000 hectolitres (25,714 barrels) of beer.
Cerveceria Palermo. – Registered 1897. Authorized capital, $1,000,000 paper currency ($405,109) in $100 shares, and $500,000 gold, preference shares of $100 each, of which 50% have been issued. Paid up capital, $1,000,000. Report for year ended June 30, 1903 shows profits of $4,186 paper currency ($1,778), which with $90,000 ($37,792), brought forward from last account presented, was added to prevision fund, which stood at $124,186 paper currency ($52,782).
Fabrica Nacional de Cerveza. – Registered August 1898. Authorized capital, $1,000,000 ($405,109) in 10,000 shares of $100. Subscribed and paid up, $546,636 ($232,379).
Cerveceria Rio Segundo. – Registered 1893. Authorized capital, $1,000,000 paper currency ($405,109), in $200,000 ($81,021) preferred shares and $800,000 ($324,087) common shares, which were fully subscribed and paid up. The company can issue debentures to the amount of $80,000 gold, which it has not done, but has issued instead $200,000 ($81,021) in preferred shares, with a privileged dividend of 10% of which $99,000 ($42,091) has been subscribed and paid up. The net profit for the year, ending March 31, 1903, amounted to $66,314 ($28,190).
The salaries of the employees and laborers of the breweries in this city are as follows:
Brewer (brewmaster), $500 paper ($212) per month.
Assistant brewer, $200 paper ($84) per month.
Laborers, $100 paper ($42) per month.
Inspectors, $300 paper ($127) per month.
Local travelers, $150 paper ($63) per month.
$2.27 Argentine paper is equal to $0.9650 United States Gold.
Crescent City Brew Talk 