Shortages

There have been reasons published as to why the Covid pandemic causes shortages of toilet paper and some foods. Whether it is due to people hoarding, a change in packaging, or in some cases the production is down. We have a very complex supply chain that has become highly interdependent. Now there is another shortage brewing…

Beer Shortage

Yes, that is correct. A potential national beer shortage. My first thought was of increased demand. Everyone working from home and having some of the refreshment with their lunch. Also, the higher stress levels of having the school age kids at home may be driving their mothers to drink. In my mind I could rationalize many reasons for this shortage.

So, in my last home delivery order from Publix I decided to stock up just a bit on the fizzy drink just in case this rumor was true. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t overindulge or abuse the malted beverage. Usually having a single cold one every afternoon at our 4:30 happy hour. (and sticking to my story)

I placed the order for an amber ale (New Belgium Fat Tire), red ale (Smithwicks), and a brown ale (Newcastle). Three of my favorites and they had all three! So maybe the suds shortage was just a rumor? I guess time will tell.

Under cover of darkness I stashed all the new brewskis in our storage compartment along with the few extra rolls of toilet paper that we managed to snag. Starting to feel like socialism. I wonder what will be the next issue or shortage.

With a little Google research it was pretty easy to discover what is ailing the ale industry. A CO2 shortage. The CO2 used for beer carbonation comes from the ethanol producers as a byproduct. And ethanol production is way down. Since ethanol is blended into the fuel supply and gasoline usage has fallen during the lockdowns.

From the April news articles that I read, 34 of the 45 ethanol plants have stopped work and the others have increased costs that will need to be passed on. So more bad news. Let’s all hope with the reopening of the country that things will slowly and safely get back to some normal.

Other articles were estimating the lockdown and slow reopening will have a serious effect on the 8,000 independent breweries. Many will not have the cash reserves to survive. A large portion of their income is from the on-premises sales.

Heading Up North Around Mid-June

That is our current plan anyway. We hope to spend July and August back in Southwest Virginia with our family and friends. The plan is to be away before the hurricane season and to make three stops on the way back.

A few days near Ocala FL, a week in Savannah Ga, and a couple of nights in Rock Hill SC, then on to go back up the mountain to our former home. The only glitch is the Florida RV parks cannot yet take any new reservations. Which is kind of surprising since Florida is doing so well toward the reopening. Gov DeSantis has done a great job in managing the crisis particularly the large number of seniors in the state.

The young and healthy folks can go back to work to feed their families and pay the rent keeping the small businesses out of bankruptcy. The older, or at risk people can continue to hunker down. We plan to continue our laying low until we leave Florida in June. Then to continue all the safe practices while on the road.

We debated the weeklong stay in Savannah as being too long during these times. But, our favorite activity is to walk the historic districts viewing the old homes and the 22 town squares. They do have some great dining. Not sure on that. Maybe we’ll try a take out or two.

Thanks for following along. Grab a nice cold refreshing beverage for your happy hour and here’s a toast to the USA and your good health. Be sure to subscribe down below for the email updates. Be safe, take care and God bless.