Just when we were debating high-tailing it from America to live the expat life abroad, the news comes that Europe is facing a massive beer shortage. And it's not just the shortage in Russia stemming from extremely thirsty World Cup fans.
Technically, there are plenty of hops and barley to go around in the European Union. Where brewers are coming up short is carbon dioxide, the gas required to make beer bubbly and delicious. According to CNBC, multiple CO2 plants around the E.U. shut down production in the early summer months to make repairs, making this shortage a case of really bad timing. The U.K. is expected to be hit the hardest.
Major brewers in Europe are already feeling the squeeze, CNBC reports. The giant food wholesaler Booker, which supplies bars and restaurants, is rationing alcohol: 10 cases of beer per customer, plus five cases of cider and soda, max. Heineken warned pubs to expect shortages of Amstel and John Smith brands. And Wetherspoons, the U.K.'s biggest pub, will be pulling some beers from its menu.
Not that we're doing that great on this side of the Atlantic. With Trump's new tariffs, beer prices are expected to rise in the States. You know what today is? A great day to be a wine snob.
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