Based on those studies, the process stated to be applied in beer production, thus allowing preserving its quality for longer periods. In 1883 Emil Christian Hansen, a Danish scientist, isolated the first yeast cultures, thus starting its controlled production. This procedure has contributed to improve beer s taste and quality consistency. All these advances, together with the start of industrial refrigeration, set up the basis for the modern brewery industry. Modelo is 37 percent owned by Anheuser Busch, while Femsa is 22 percent owned by Interbrew s Labatt.
European breweries are interested in gaining a foothold in the Latin American beer market.
However strong domestic producers and the refillable package system restrict imports. Interbrew s projected alliance with the Cisneros group in Venezuela failed to result in agreement on a joint venture. Damm boasts of a growing export market in Chile and elsewhere in Latin America, offsetting the decrease in the Spanish beer market. Brahma plans to increase its operations in Argentina by 60percent. Its brewery at Luj n is already operating at full capacity.