The drink that would come to refresh the spirits in Sancti Spíritus, facing the Christmas festivities, has actually ended up heating up the tense economic scene of the city even more. A few weeks ago, the announcement that beer would be sold in the wineries of the province by the end of the year caused a certain amount of enthusiasm that lasted until the first cans landed in the state markets.
“Thüringer beer at 200 CUP each”, reads a sign in a central business destined for the rationed market on Céspedes street. “They started selling only ten per person, but since no one wants to pay for them at that price, they have had to release them and you can take as many as you want,” he tells 14ymedio a local customer who does not plan to purchase the 30 cans that initially corresponded to him, his wife and a 25-year-old son. “I better buy it from the private ones that have them at 170”, he adds.
In some Sancti Spíritus wineries they have also supplied cans of malt, coming from the Dominican Republic, and “some jams and cookies” are expected.
“We are going backwards like crabs. They are selling more expensive beers than on the black market,” complained another client who was hopeful when she learned that the product would reach the wineries in each neighborhood, after years in which only seen appearing in private restaurants and shops in freely convertible currency. The woman had planned to buy about twenty cans for her and her husband: “ten to drink on Christmas Eve and the same amount for December 31.” Now, she redirects her plans and searches digital classified sites for a cheaper option.
“The shameful thing is that it is the State itself that sets these prices,” criticizes this Spiritusian. “My pension is a little more than 2,000 pesos, so with each beer I buy, I am taking 10% of my monthly retirement.” The woman also does not understand why it is an imported drink and “the Cristal and the Bucanero, which are made in Cuba, do not appear anywhere.” “With that price it makes me sad to go to the bathroom after taking something so expensive,” she concludes.
In some Sancti Spíritus wineries they have also supplied cans of malt, coming from the Dominican Republic, and “some jams and cookies” are expected, according to an employee of one of these state premises. However, after the bitter taste that “the end of the year beer” has left behind, few have any illusions that the trinkets that are yet to arrive can sweeten the last days of this December.
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