Does anyone familiar with the importation pattern in Goa during Portuguese rule, please explain to me why St. Pauli Girl seemed to be almost the only beer available or consumed in Goa, or am I mistaken?
Was it because Goan importers managed to make the most margin on that brand? Did the St Pauli brewers have some hold with the Portuguese govt in Goa? It surely wasn't anywhere near the best beer brands in the world then! Other standard consumables and staples were Kraft processed cheese in tins, Edam (ball) cheese, Cruz Azul condensed milk, Bensdorp Dutch chocolates and Soir de Paris perfumes. To Goans in import starved Bombay of the time, these were great desirables, but I found out the truth when I went to the Arabian Gulf and discovered that these were really low-ball, third-rate items (except for the Edam). With regard to Portuguese Moscatel, Grandjo and Tinto they being not available in the Gulf liquor stores, it wasn't until I came to Canada that I saw they are really of no consequence in taste, bouquet or by most other wine standards. The Ports and Sherrys from Portugal and Spain are world class though I suspect the brands of these two fortified spirits available in Goa were far inferior to the norm. The Portuguese probably thought they were good enough for the natives and the Goans of that time perhaps did not know any better, or were grateful for what they could get. Roland. Discussing beer brands, Gabe Menezes wrote: > Lastly, for all you St. Pauli Girl fans of yesteryear Goa, the beer is > still available... _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
