101th Anniversary of “Hatuey” Beer Celebrated in Santiago de Cuba

Workers and retirees of the huge beer industry of this city, based at the populous San Pedrito neighborhood, celebrated the 101th anniversary of the launch of "Hatuey" suds.

On November 15, 1911, a brewing plant was founded in Santiago de Cuba to produce Guarina beer; on October 4, 1913, with new owners, the first Hatuey beer came out of the factory.

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Throughout a century and one year, the Hatuey beer has monopolized the preference of most of Cubans, especially due to its unique color and taste, which are obtained by means of the excellent combination of the beer masters’ knowledge, the raw material the use and the properties of the water, taken from exclusive springs of the province.

On the "Beer Encyclopedia", published in Madrid, Spain, there is reference to the Cuban beer and the text is complemented by a picture of "Hatuey", which has been produced for over 100 years in Santiago de Cuba.

The first Cuban brewer, who worked on the "Hatuey", graduated in the United States in 1936 and, during the revolutionary period, the first master beer maker of the industry was Ariel Griñán Núñez and he got his certificate in Czechoslovakia.

On October 13, 1960, the Revolutionary Government took control of the factory and ever since the production and quality of the beer have been up to the Santiago-based workers and specialists.

After the triumph of the Revolution, a cutting-edge bottling hall was added to the plant in 1978, coming from the German Federal Republic, and a brand-new beer-making plant was opened years later. It was brought from the former German Democratic Republic and it is still operative.

On every July, during one of the largest fiestas in Cuba, the Santiago Carnival, most of the beer drunk by the people of Santiago and visitors is produced at the factory nestled at San Pedrito neighborhood: “Hatuey” brewery.