Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Venezuela’s Empresas Polar May Have to Stop Making Beer Because of Dollar Shortage
Wall Street Journal ^ | April 21, 2016 | JUAN FORERO

Posted on 04/22/2016 12:11:44 PM PDT by PJ-Comix

Venezuelans grumbling over the scarcity of food and toilet paper may soon face another shortage, beer produced by Empresas Polar SA., the country’s largest private company and biggest beer maker.

Polar said on Thursday that it will be forced to stop producing beer next week because it cannot get the U.S. dollars, which are controlled by the government, to import the malted barley needed to brew.

Under Venezuela’s stringent currency exchange system, only the government can legally control dollars, which companies need to import raw materials, food, machine parts and other supplies.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Cuba; Foreign Affairs; Russia
KEYWORDS: beer; cuba; empresaspolar; hugochavez; hugochavezlegacy; nicaragua; nicolasmaduro; oenology; russia; venezuela; zymurgy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last
A scarcity of beer won’t go over well in Venezuela, a tropical country where per capita beer consumption is high. “I worry about shortages of food,” said Leo Parra, 28, who works in a Caracas store. “But if beer disappears, too, I’ll worry, too, because that’s a pleasure I like to enjoy.”

I've been to Venezuela and almost all adults drink Polar beer daily. And it's not just due to the heat. You CAN'T drink the water down there which is why you see NO water fountains. Not even in the airports. The best substitute is Polar beer and if that is not available...uh-oh!

1 posted on 04/22/2016 12:11:44 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

You can wipe with you hands.

But (no pun intended) no substitute for beer.


2 posted on 04/22/2016 12:15:00 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (As always, /s is implicitly assumed. Unless explicitly labled /not s. Saves keystrokes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

Back in the USSR, the peasants managed to put up with Communist oppression and misrule by drinking lots of vodka. What will the Venezuelans do without their beer?


3 posted on 04/22/2016 12:15:21 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

About three years ago company stopped selling to Venezuela an essential agriculture product to produce chicken. Why, we couldn’t get USD! It is nice to see during this time that the government made USD available for beer, but not chicken. The priority of the socialist- keep the population dumb and drunk!


4 posted on 04/22/2016 12:18:28 PM PDT by 11th Commandment ("THOSE WHO TIRE LOSE")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

Polar Beer is good stuff. Even looking at the label with that polar bear standing on a ice flow makes you feel good on a hot day.


5 posted on 04/22/2016 12:19:11 PM PDT by PUGACHEV
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cicero

It’s the Polar light beer that is most favored down there. Good stuff. And really appreciated in the tropical heat. Cut that off and the folks might take to the streets.


6 posted on 04/22/2016 12:19:13 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix; GraceG; Homer_J_Simpson

No Bear and No TV Make Homer something something.


7 posted on 04/22/2016 12:26:03 PM PDT by KC_Lion (Everyone Does Know that after the Last Brokered Republican Convention, They Lost, Right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KC_Lion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SLdg0BGGQ0

No Bear and No TV Make Homer something something.


8 posted on 04/22/2016 12:29:25 PM PDT by GraceG (The election doesn't pick the next president, it is an audition for "American Emperor"...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix
Can't Venezuela's government just pass a law requiring the beer company to keep making beer anyway? After all, that's what socialist governments do best, making crazy laws that have no connection to reality.
9 posted on 04/22/2016 12:29:44 PM PDT by Leaning Right (Why am I holding this lantern? I am looking for the next Reagan.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KC_Lion
Homer: No Bear and No TV Make Homer something something.

Marge: Go Crazy?


10 posted on 04/22/2016 12:30:28 PM PDT by GraceG (The election doesn't pick the next president, it is an audition for "American Emperor"...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: GraceG

Instead of malt and barley, use tree bark and grass.

Won’t do squat, but at least it gives the government the ability to say the beer is now better and that it no longer needs imported goods. Maybe give a medal to the apparatchik who suggested this.


11 posted on 04/22/2016 12:34:49 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (United we stand, divided we fall. I think the establishment has divided us enough.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

Limited electricity, no toilet paper and now no beer.

And a 5 hour wait in the hot sun to get into the grocery store.

This is what socialism is in real life.


12 posted on 04/22/2016 12:36:31 PM PDT by detective
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

When you vote for socialism, you get socialism.


13 posted on 04/22/2016 1:29:10 PM PDT by lurk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix
I've been to Venezuela and almost all adults drink Polar beer daily

Just like Pittsburgh


14 posted on 04/22/2016 1:31:42 PM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lurk

From the land of sky blue waters...


15 posted on 04/22/2016 2:00:33 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Baseball players, gangsters and musicians are remembered. But journalists are forgotten.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Buckeye McFrog

Just like Pittsburgh....You’re talking Vitamin I, I hope. (Iron City).


16 posted on 04/22/2016 2:10:47 PM PDT by Safetgiver (Islam makes barbarism look genteel.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix
Hmm...

Do - the stuff that buys me beer
Ray - the guy who sells me beer
Me - the guy who drinks the beer
Fah - a long way to get beer
So - I think I'll have a beer
La - La la la la la beer
Ti - no thanks, I'm drinking beer,
Which will bring us back to - DOH!

17 posted on 04/22/2016 2:14:48 PM PDT by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

Would this be the place to plant a rumor that all Polar Beer shipments have been diverted to the ruling elite for their personal consumption? ;)


18 posted on 04/22/2016 2:14:50 PM PDT by W. (Screw it. Send in the Marines! NOW!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

if they have no $ dollars, let them use ¥ yuan


19 posted on 04/22/2016 2:15:23 PM PDT by Thibodeaux (leading from behind is following)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Safetgiver

You know it. Can’t drink that Rolling Rock now that
it’s made with New Jersey water.


20 posted on 04/22/2016 2:43:18 PM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson