Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/105

83 The brewing of Bohemian beer for export has reached to greatest perfection and the products of the breweries in the Pilsen (Plzeň) district are world-famous. The export trade is chiefly with Germany, which takes the light-coloured Pilsen beers. In return the heavy black beers of Bavaria are extensively imported by Austria and principally consumed by the well-to-do classes. Other customers of Bohemian beer are America, Switzerland, Italy and Egypt.

The brewing industry is extensively carried on in Prague and vicinity, the Smíchov brewery being one of the largest in Austria and rankes next in point of production to the celebrated Měšťanský pivovar (Bürgerliche Brewery) in Pilsen. The Prague breweries do not brew for export, but for the local trade only.

The total export of beer from Austria-Hungary in the year 1904 was I04.547 tons, the bulk of which is brewed at Pilsen in Bohemia.

The Bohemian malting industry is very much developed and largely depends on export, as the home brewers produce a greater quantity than required by local consumption.

The total export of Austrian malt in 1904, in which Bohemia takes the prominent part, was 185.693 tons, valued at ₤ 2,114.274, the best European customers being Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark; besides large quantities for export to Brasil and Argentine.

SPIRIT INDUSTRY

The distillation of spirit is extensively carried on in Austria-Hungary. Spirits are produced out of grain, molasses and potatoes. The largest distilleries using molasses are in Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia.

The distilling industry is an important source of revenue to the State and also contributes largely to the local revenues of the several provinces and communities.

Not only is this industry of great fiscal value,