Costa Rica

History

Three Centuries of History: FANAL 1850-1900-2000

On September 2nd 1850,through the decree No 99 signed by the President at that time Mr. Juan Rafael Mora Porras, it was concentrated the distillery of liquors and alcohols in the state, with the regulation 101 of the above decree that was published on September 25th the same year, it was determined that from January 1st 1851 it was prohibited the distillery of liquor by people.

Being Mr. Juan Rafael Mora Chief of the State in 1853, it was born one of the biggest industries of the country, the National Factory of Liquor, created with the steady purpose of promoting the cane industry and keep the public health against the pernicious liquor consume for its high content of toxic elements.

Throughout the decree 99 promulgated for its establishment, there were installed the first distillery equipment in some wine vaults located where one can find today the Buenaventura Corrales School.

That same year, the company started the building of the second floor, which in the beginning was called Fábrica Nacional de Aguardientes.

On August 24th 1856 it was inaugurated the plant with the attendance of the President, Mr. Juan Rafael Mora Porras and the San Jose's bishop Anselmo Llorente y La Fuente.

FANAL's experience based in a long trajectory and advanced technology has permitted the production of pure, medicinal and domestic first class alcohol, which production is derived from alcohol for industrial and alcoholic drinks purposes.

As it is well known, alcohol is originated from molasses, a derivation from sugar cane refinement which at the same time is one of the most important products of the country. It is formed besides some other substances which can be also observed through the fermentation process. In a great deal, these marked the necessity that the distillery phase is employed to a purify mechanism, which together with rectification and review, reach the freedom of alcohol with the highest purity level.

FANAL as it is usually known, located in Rincón de Salas, Grecia counts with a modern and advanced technology machinery in its plants, specialized staff and professionals in the field, besides the company counts with a big laboratory and a sophisticated distillery and packing of products.

During 150 years, FANAL has contributed to the social and economic welfare of the country, generating employment for thousands of Costa Ricans who in one way or another give complementary services to the Factory, such as the industry of packing, labels, lids and publicity among others. The company also contributes with part of its income for the Consejo Nacional de Producción (CNP) which later transfers it to the Costa Rican agricultural area, working as an incentive for small farmers.