Carbon Dioxide Shortage Causing Beer Crisis in Britain Amid World Cup

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There is also a beer shortage in Russia, which is hosting the tournament.

As the eyes of the world are focused on the World Cup, a carbon dioxide shortage in northern Europe is causing a beer shortage — especially in Great Britain. 

At least five of the top CO2 producers are offline, causing a shortage in the gas used to make fizzy drinks, meat and, of course, beer. 

Britain has been affected as a result of the seasonal shutdown amid the World Cup. 

The U.K. now has only one big plant producing the gas. 

The British Beer and Pub Association, along with individual beer producers and bars, have warned of the crisis caused by the shortage, which is causing a lack of beer production during a time of major consumption. 

Britain’s Food and Drink Federation said that the industry is extremely concerned, according to reports. 

A beer crisis is also happening in Russia, where soccer fans are gathered for the World Cup, but for a different reason: mass consumption.

Bars and restaurants in Moscow are running low on beer due to the unprecedented amount of people drinking it, Reuters reported.

"We just didn’t think they would only want beer," one waiter in Moscow told the news service. "There are really a lot of people in Moscow ... and they are all drinking. It’s hot, and it’s football."

The waiter, who wished to not be identified, said that his restaurant ran out of draft beer Monday and the demand for more has led to a delay among suppliers in restocking.

Vodka is the traditional alcoholic beverage of choice in the country, but as the world continues to arrive in Russia for the global soccer tournament, beer is reportedly being consumed at larger-than-usual rates. 

But as one Croatian soccer fan in Russia says, you have to know where to look.

“There is beer everywhere,” the fan, identified only as Ivan, told Reuters. "Some places yes, some places no."

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