Beer production, fountain drinks could be affected by shortage
A local entrepreneur hopes a new shortage that is brewing nationwide won’t come to a head in Butler County, but even if it does, he won’t tap out.
Carbon dioxide (CO2), the gas that makes cold beer or soda pop fizzy, is in short supply, which could affect the production or availability of craft beer and carbonated drinks.
CO2 also is used as a refrigerant; and dry ice is nothing more than solid CO2.
According to the online industry publication, Gasworld, the increasing demand for home food delivery, as well as CO2 plant shutdowns, are the main causes of the shortage.
A Gasworld article also blamed postponed maintenance at many CO2 plants in 2020, restaurant closings as a result of the pandemic decreasing demand for the gas, truck driver shortages and replacement with nitrogen in the meat industry as other causes for the supply interruption in the CO2 industry.
Bob McCafferty, owner of North Country Brewing and the Harmony Inn, received a notification Thursday from his CO2 supplier that he can only receive half the amount of CO2 normally delivered each week.
