lack of carbonic acid
British pubs are sounding the alarm: beer could become scarce
Similar to the Germans, the British also regard their beer as sacred. But the liquid gold just doesn’t taste good without carbonic acid
© Jon Super/AP/DPA
Pubs in Great Britain are very worried about their beer: Due to increased energy prices, the production of fertilizers in the kingdom has been severely curtailed. As a result, carbonic acid is now scarce, which is produced as a waste product.
Pubs in Great Britain are very concerned about their best-selling product: British beer production problems could soon arise. Absurdly enough, the reason for this is a fertilizer manufacturer. The company “CF Fertilisers UK” is one of the largest in its branch and announced this week that it has to shut down its production due to the increased energy prices. This also has a direct impact on pubs and bars in the UK. Because the production of fertilizers produces an important by-product: carbon dioxide. And without the gas, beer production is virtually impossible.
Carbon dioxide shortage: Britons worried about their beer
As reported by the “Handelsblatt”, among others, the chairwoman of the pub association in Great Britain Emma McClarkin was concerned about the production bottleneck. Fertilizer manufacturers’ decision to cut production “couldn’t be worse,” McClarkin said. The decision raises serious concerns about the sustainable supply of CO2 to the brewing and pub industry. A guaranteed supply is essential for the operation of pubs and breweries.
The starting point for the feared shortage is the production of ammonia. Some producers have already gone bankrupt in recent months due to the rise in energy and commodity prices. Now “CF Fertilisers UK” also wants to reduce the production volume to zero. However, CO2 is not only used as tingling bubbles in drinks, but also, for example, as an anesthetic in the slaughterhouse industry.
UK government calls on industry to meet demand
Only last year did industry and government in Great Britain agree on ensuring the supply of CO2. The state is now demanding that manufacturing companies do everything they can to meet demand. “Since last autumn, the resilience of the carbon market has improved, with additional imports, further production from existing domestic sources and better inventories,” said a UK government spokesman.
The spokesman added that while the government continues to explore options for the market to improve resilience in the longer term, it is imperative that the industry acts in the interests of the public and businesses and do whatever it takes to meet demand.
Sources: HandelsblattReuters