Alcohol - Haiti Observer Blog

Since last Sunday several people have become victims of poisoning in Haiti after ingestion an adulterated alcohol. So far medical authorities at the State University Hospital have registered more than 10 dead resulting from this adultered Clairin and also several victims with symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, severe headache, stomach ache and loss of vision. An investigation of the adulterated clairin is now underway by Haiti Minister of Health to determine the nature of this fatal alcohol.

Haitian Kreyol:

Frelate alkòl touye omwen 10 moun an Ayiti

Depi dimanch pase, plizyè moun te viktim anpwazonnman an Ayiti apre yo te bwè yon alkòl frelate. Se konsa, otorite medikal nan Lopital Inivèsite Eta te anrejistre plis pase dis moun ki te mouri paske yo te bwè Clairin sa epi tou plizyè viktim ki gen sentòm anpwazonnman tankou vomisman, maltèt grav, doulè nan vant ak pèt nan vizyon. Yon ankèt sou clairin frelate an sou pye pa Minis Sante pou detèmine nati alkòl fatal sa.

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Elèv lekòl an Ayiti yo dekouvri ke dwòg se solisyon an pou anpil nan pwoblèm yo epi yo de pli zan pli repoze sou li. Dapre yon etid ki te fèt nan 2014, yon majorite nan timoun lekòl ap itilize dwòg. Etid la te jwenn ke 55 pousan nan yo bwè alkòl regilyèman, pandan ke 23 pousan nan dwòg lou. Komisyon nasyonal kont dwòg (CONALD) dènyèman te kòmanse yon kanpay sansibilizasyon kont konsomasyon dwòg nan mitan timoun lekòl an Ayiti. Kanpay sa finanse sitou pa gouvènman ayisyen an ki gen kòm objektif pou angaje nan yon seri aktivite kiltirèl ak espò pou yo pote mesaj lan dirèkteman ba yo

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The national beer that has twice taken home gold in the 'Lager' category of the World Beer Cup (in 2000 and 2012), Prestige Beer has a new image, said to fit the change a-brewing in fair Haiti. The new look, announced by the producers of the lager, Brasserie Nationale d'Haiti S.A. (Brana), embodies not just a new beginning for the beer and for the country, but also shows off Haiti's past, its heritage and culture, all in one bottle.

According to Prestige Beer brand manager, Laurent Lilavois, the company chose the new image for the strong, youthful look that is both modern and patriotic. Its blue and red theme speaks to progress and modernity, while it harkens to Haitian tradition. He says, it fluently expresses the change Haiti is now, 'open to' while being oriented towards innovation and advancement.

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Toussaint Coffee Liqueur, named for Haiti's liberator, Toussaint Louverture, is a more intense version of Mexico's Tia Maria and Kahlua. It is less sweet and contains a richer coffee flavor. A blend of Arabica coffee beans and aged Caribbean rum, with an alcohol content of 30%, it became popular in Europe and other import markets.

For undisclosed reasons, the Toussaint Coffee Liqueur brand was discontinued, and had not been available anywhere except perhaps on the island under another name. But Quintessential Brands, which owns the patent, transferred from its original creator, Anker Horn, signed a new licensing agreement with G&J Distillers to produce the liqueur with a new recipe as well as a redesigned bottle.

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Krémas is pungent Haitian-style egg nog--but without the eggs--a festive drink prepared during the Christmas holidays in Haiti. The preparation is simple and shouldn't take more than 15 minutes, if you are an organized cook.

The tools needed to make Krémas are:
• a large punch bowl
• a whisk
• a ring of measuring spoons
• 1-cup measuring cup
• 1 wooden spoon for removing the cream of coconut from the can
• 6 to 8 cordial glasses

To prepare, assemble the following ingredients:
• 2-12 oz. cans of Carnation evaporated milk
• 4-12 oz. cans of sweetened condensed milk
• 1-15 oz. can sweetened cream of coconut
• 1 tsp. Mc Cormicks vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. Mc Cormicks almond extract
• 1 grated anise star
• 1 tsp. Mc Cormicks cinnamon
• 1 tsp. Mc Cormicks grated nutmeg
• 1 lime or lemon zest and juice of one lime or lemon
• 1/2 to 2 cups of 80-proof 5-star Barbancourt Dark Rum, or Bacardi Light Rum

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Barbancourt is a popular rum produced in Haiti, considered one of the premier rums manufactured on the globe. French cognac maker, Dupré Barbancourt, came to Haiti and began rum production in 1862. Four generations of Barbancourts have run the family empire, beginning with Nathalie Gardère, Barbancourt's widow. She managed the operation along with Paul Gardère, her nephew, until her death. He took over production until he passed away in 1946. Surviving son, Jean Gardère, headed the operation until he passed in 1990. His son, Thierry Gardère, has been leading the company ever since.

By 1949, the Barbancourt Company had moved operations to the sugar cane plantation, Domaine Barbancourt, in the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac area. In the early 1950s, the profitable operation increased production, making the company a prominent manufacturer of premium rums.

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When talking about breweries in Haiti, Brasserie National D'Haiti (BRANA) would surely come up. Why? Because it is the leading brewery and bottler, as well as the number one Caribbean beer producer in the country. Michael Madsen, a Haitian whose family was considered one of the richest clans that time, established BRANA in 1973. His family came to Haiti from Denmark in the latter years of the 19th century. For almost 40 years, BRANA has also been managing the production and distribution of PepsiCo International products in Haiti. It covers popular soft drink brands, including 7up, Pepsi, and Teem.

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Wikileaks reveals how the American Embassy views Rene Preval. A memo from the U.S. Embassy in Haiti reveals that President Preva is cynical, suspicious of the intention of outsiders and is convinced that no one understands Haiti like he does.

Key points from the correspondence from the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince.

Rene Preval is considered as an ally; however his personality remains a problem. According to a diplomatic correspondence of March 2007, Wikileaks reported that "Managing Preval will remain challenging during the remaining of his term. We must continue to find creative ways to work with him, influence him, and encourage him to recapture the activism of his first year in office".

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