Well thank goodness there is no shortage of beer here in Panama!!

Brewers have reasons to celebrate: per capita consumption grew from 77 to 80 liters in 2011 and production increased by 5%.

Beer is the preferred alcoholic beverage in Panama, with its production having grown by 5.1% (above the average of 2% of the rest of Latin America) in 2011, reported Capital.com.pa.

The market is worth more than $390 million a year and is controlled by two large companies: Cervecería Nacional, a subsidiary of SABMiller, and Cervecería Barú- Panamá, under the control of Heineken NV. Last year they produced 247.2 million liters of beer, 5.1% more than in 2010, significantly higher than seco (6 million liters) and rum (7.2 million liters), according to data supplied by the Controller General.

A study by market intelligence firm Nielsen found that in 2011 the per capita expenditure of Panamanians in this frothy drink was $74.1, not including bars and restaurants. Per capita consumption increased from 77 to 80 liters.

Two Panamanian market characteristics that give it an advantage is the variety of brands, about ten, much higher than those offered in other countries, including Costa Rica (8 brands) – and its low prices: $1.60 for a liter of beer, while the average price in the region is $2.31, according to the study.

Source: Capital.com.pa