Happy Atheist Forum

General => Current Events => Topic started by: Dave on June 26, 2018, 05:16:07 PM

Title: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Dave on June 26, 2018, 05:16:07 PM
OK, so does the rest of Europe.

Seems there is a drastic shortage of CO2 since most of the plants supplying it have closed for maintenance. The gas is mainly a by-product of the fertiliser industry and farmers don't want fertiliser in the summer.

But, but, why all of a sudden this year? Surely that reason applies to all years, there must be some other factor. Supplies are being reserved for medical and "animal welfare" purposes, that latter is a euphemism for usibg CO2 to stun animals before slaughter and actually slaughter chickens.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/20/co2-shortage-could-hit-uk-beer-and-chicken-supplies-during-world-cup

Later: listening to the BBC it seems that the plants did not "phase" their shutdowns, just went ahead on their own schedule.  The aftermath of this might be interesting to flies on walls as takings dive and shoppers and drinkers go short.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Tank on June 26, 2018, 08:12:35 PM
No beer shortage here in Leeds yet.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Dave on June 26, 2018, 08:30:21 PM
Quote from: Tank on June 26, 2018, 08:12:35 PM
No beer shortage here in Leeds yet.

It's only going to be the fizzy stuff, the real gravity pump stuff should be safe.

Might hit the curry market if it goes on too long, no chicken tikka massla, biriani or vindaloo washed fown with fizzy lager whenever England . . . do whatever they manage in this cup thing.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Icarus on June 26, 2018, 11:30:55 PM
The damned Russians have imported all the British beer because of the World Cup football tournaments.   There are millions of visiting  fans who need beer in order to properly root for their team.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Dave on June 27, 2018, 02:02:37 AM
Quote from: Icarus on June 26, 2018, 11:30:55 PM
The damned Russians have imported all the British beer because of the World Cup football tournaments.   There are millions of visiting  fans who need beer in order to properly root for their team.

Or to insulate them if the team effort goes tits-up!
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Bad Penny II on June 27, 2018, 11:01:41 AM
No shortage here, over forty weeks worth.
My own pet yeasty beasties do the carbonation.

(https://i.imgur.com/LIkGZh0.jpg)

Greyed out has been consumed.

Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Bluenose on June 27, 2018, 11:55:55 AM
Quote from: Bad Penny II on June 27, 2018, 11:01:41 AM
No shortage here, over forty weeks worth.
My own pet yeasty beasties do the carbonation.

(https://i.imgur.com/LIkGZh0.jpg)

Greyed out has been consumed.

Ha, ha!  I agree.  I was reading about this beer shortage and thought, no shortage here, my son makes his own and the yeast makes its own CO2.  It's damn fine stuff too, although I think you beat us in the quantity you're making - good job!

I should think that any "proper beer" should be OK as well and for the same reasons.  Only the mass produced not-actually-beer would be in trouble.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Bad Penny II on June 27, 2018, 12:21:13 PM
Quote from: Bluenose on June 27, 2018, 11:55:55 AM
Quote from: Bad Penny II on June 27, 2018, 11:01:41 AM
No shortage here, over forty weeks worth.
My own pet yeasty beasties do the carbonation.



Greyed out has been consumed.

Ha, ha!  I agree.  I was reading about this beer shortage and thought, no shortage here, my son makes his own and the yeast makes its own CO2.  It's damn fine stuff too, although I think you beat us in the quantity you're making - good job!

I should think that any "proper beer" should be OK as well and for the same reasons.  Only the mass produced not-actually-beer would be in trouble.

People that use kegs instead of bottles use CO2.
Kegs would save a lot of stuffing around, cleaning bottles is time consuming.
I'd need quite a few kegs though to do a stock of year old stout.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on June 27, 2018, 02:50:30 PM
Quote from: Bad Penny II on June 27, 2018, 11:01:41 AM
No shortage here, over forty weeks worth.
My own pet yeasty beasties do the carbonation.

(https://i.imgur.com/LIkGZh0.jpg)

Greyed out has been consumed.

Whoa, that's what I call organised!  :o

I really should start using Excel to tabulate stuff as well. :P
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on June 27, 2018, 02:52:24 PM
Quote from: Dave on June 26, 2018, 05:16:07 PM
OK, so does the rest of Europe.

Seems there is a drastic shortage of CO2 since most of the plants supplying it have closed for maintenance. The gas is mainly a by-product of the fertiliser industry and farmers don't want fertiliser in the summer.

But, but, why all of a sudden this year? Surely that reason applies to all years, there must be some other factor. Supplies are being reserved for medical and "animal welfare" purposes, that latter is a euphemism for usibg CO2 to stun animals before slaughter and actually slaughter chickens.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/20/co2-shortage-could-hit-uk-beer-and-chicken-supplies-during-world-cup

Later: listening to the BBC it seems that the plants did not "phase" their shutdowns, just went ahead on their own schedule.  The aftermath of this might be interesting to flies on walls as takings dive and shoppers and drinkers go short.

:rofl:

I don't know if this is supposed to be funny but it is. :P
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Dave on June 27, 2018, 03:38:18 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on June 27, 2018, 02:52:24 PM
Quote from: Dave on June 26, 2018, 05:16:07 PM
OK, so does the rest of Europe.

Seems there is a drastic shortage of CO2 since most of the plants supplying it have closed for maintenance. The gas is mainly a by-product of the fertiliser industry and farmers don't want fertiliser in the summer.

But, but, why all of a sudden this year? Surely that reason applies to all years, there must be some other factor. Supplies are being reserved for medical and "animal welfare" purposes, that latter is a euphemism for usibg CO2 to stun animals before slaughter and actually slaughter chickens.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/20/co2-shortage-could-hit-uk-beer-and-chicken-supplies-during-world-cup

Later: listening to the BBC it seems that the plants did not "phase" their shutdowns, just went ahead on their own schedule.  The aftermath of this might be interesting to flies on walls as takings dive and shoppers and drinkers go short.

:rofl:

I don't know if this is supposed to be funny but it is. :P

Well, it was intended as a "light hearted look" rather than a rant. My fave eating/drinking place has guest beers and ales in non-pressure on the bar. Used to be wooden barrels but metal jobs last longer - the "aging" is still done in wooden tuns in the local craft brewery.

I am always delighted to give anyone a laugh!
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on June 28, 2018, 02:25:00 AM
Quote from: Dave on June 27, 2018, 03:38:18 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on June 27, 2018, 02:52:24 PM
Quote from: Dave on June 26, 2018, 05:16:07 PM
OK, so does the rest of Europe.

Seems there is a drastic shortage of CO2 since most of the plants supplying it have closed for maintenance. The gas is mainly a by-product of the fertiliser industry and farmers don't want fertiliser in the summer.

But, but, why all of a sudden this year? Surely that reason applies to all years, there must be some other factor. Supplies are being reserved for medical and "animal welfare" purposes, that latter is a euphemism for usibg CO2 to stun animals before slaughter and actually slaughter chickens.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/20/co2-shortage-could-hit-uk-beer-and-chicken-supplies-during-world-cup

Later: listening to the BBC it seems that the plants did not "phase" their shutdowns, just went ahead on their own schedule.  The aftermath of this might be interesting to flies on walls as takings dive and shoppers and drinkers go short.

:rofl:

I don't know if this is supposed to be funny but it is. :P

Well, it was intended as a "light hearted look" rather than a rant. My fave eating/drinking place has guest beers and ales in non-pressure on the bar. Used to be wooden barrels but metal jobs last longer - the "aging" is still done in wooden tuns in the local craft brewery.

I am always delighted to give anyone a laugh!

:grin:

Pardon my ignorance but does it take a long time to brew beer?
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Tank on June 28, 2018, 07:48:30 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on June 28, 2018, 02:25:00 AM
Quote from: Dave on June 27, 2018, 03:38:18 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on June 27, 2018, 02:52:24 PM
Quote from: Dave on June 26, 2018, 05:16:07 PM
OK, so does the rest of Europe.

Seems there is a drastic shortage of CO2 since most of the plants supplying it have closed for maintenance. The gas is mainly a by-product of the fertiliser industry and farmers don't want fertiliser in the summer.

But, but, why all of a sudden this year? Surely that reason applies to all years, there must be some other factor. Supplies are being reserved for medical and "animal welfare" purposes, that latter is a euphemism for usibg CO2 to stun animals before slaughter and actually slaughter chickens.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/20/co2-shortage-could-hit-uk-beer-and-chicken-supplies-during-world-cup

Later: listening to the BBC it seems that the plants did not "phase" their shutdowns, just went ahead on their own schedule.  The aftermath of this might be interesting to flies on walls as takings dive and shoppers and drinkers go short.

:rofl:

I don't know if this is supposed to be funny but it is. :P

Well, it was intended as a "light hearted look" rather than a rant. My fave eating/drinking place has guest beers and ales in non-pressure on the bar. Used to be wooden barrels but metal jobs last longer - the "aging" is still done in wooden tuns in the local craft brewery.

I am always delighted to give anyone a laugh!

:grin:

Pardon my ignorance but does it take a long time to brew beer?

Yes and no. It depends how rough you are prepared to drink it. :grin:
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Bad Penny II on June 28, 2018, 10:15:56 AM
Quote from: Tank on June 28, 2018, 07:48:30 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on June 28, 2018, 02:25:00 AM
Quote from: Dave on June 27, 2018, 03:38:18 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on June 27, 2018, 02:52:24 PM
Quote from: Dave on June 26, 2018, 05:16:07 PM
OK, so does the rest of Europe.

Seems there is a drastic shortage of CO2 since most of the plants supplying it have closed for maintenance. The gas is mainly a by-product of the fertiliser industry and farmers don't want fertiliser in the summer.

But, but, why all of a sudden this year? Surely that reason applies to all years, there must be some other factor. Supplies are being reserved for medical and "animal welfare" purposes, that latter is a euphemism for usibg CO2 to stun animals before slaughter and actually slaughter chickens.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/20/co2-shortage-could-hit-uk-beer-and-chicken-supplies-during-world-cup

Later: listening to the BBC it seems that the plants did not "phase" their shutdowns, just went ahead on their own schedule.  The aftermath of this might be interesting to flies on walls as takings dive and shoppers and drinkers go short.

:rofl:

I don't know if this is supposed to be funny but it is. :P

Well, it was intended as a "light hearted look" rather than a rant. My fave eating/drinking place has guest beers and ales in non-pressure on the bar. Used to be wooden barrels but metal jobs last longer - the "aging" is still done in wooden tuns in the local craft brewery.

I am always delighted to give anyone a laugh!

:grin:

Pardon my ignorance but does it take a long time to brew beer?

Yes and no. It depends how rough you are prepared to drink it. :grin:

You can possibly brew it in a week at 22-24C but taking two weeks at 19C for ales is considered better.
When the yeast has consumed all the sugars you bottle/keg it.
For bottles you add a little bit of sugar which fuels the carbonation.
Ageing minimum 2 weeks, 8 is better, 12 is better still.  Stouts benefit from a year.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on June 28, 2018, 11:54:57 AM
Just my luck. I'm leaving for the UK (Wales, specifically) tomorrow for a week. Hope the shortage has not hit Hay-on-Wye yet.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Dave on June 28, 2018, 12:30:51 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on June 28, 2018, 11:54:57 AM
Just my luck. I'm leaving for the UK (Wales, specifically) tomorrow for a week. Hope the shortage has not hit Hay-on-Wye yet.
Got an empty suitcase (on wheels) to lug the books back home in? You are a bit late for the Festival!
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on June 28, 2018, 12:55:38 PM
Quote from: Tank on June 28, 2018, 07:48:30 AM
Yes and no. It depends how rough you are prepared to drink it. :grin:

Quote from: Bad Penny II on June 28, 2018, 10:15:56 AM
You can possibly brew it in a week at 22-24C but taking two weeks at 19C for ales is considered better.
When the yeast has consumed all the sugars you bottle/keg it.
For bottles you add a little bit of sugar which fuels the carbonation.
Ageing minimum 2 weeks, 8 is better, 12 is better still.  Stouts benefit from a year.

:o And here I was thinking a couple of days would suffice...
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on June 29, 2018, 03:15:27 AM
Quote from: Dave on June 28, 2018, 12:30:51 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on June 28, 2018, 11:54:57 AM
Just my luck. I'm leaving for the UK (Wales, specifically) tomorrow for a week. Hope the shortage has not hit Hay-on-Wye yet.
Got an empty suitcase (on wheels) to lug the books back home in? You are a bit late for the Festival!

We missed the festival on purpose.  We wanted more peace and quiet.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on June 30, 2018, 02:57:21 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on June 29, 2018, 03:15:27 AM
Quote from: Dave on June 28, 2018, 12:30:51 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on June 28, 2018, 11:54:57 AM
Just my luck. I'm leaving for the UK (Wales, specifically) tomorrow for a week. Hope the shortage has not hit Hay-on-Wye yet.
Got an empty suitcase (on wheels) to lug the books back home in? You are a bit late for the Festival!

We missed the festival on purpose.  We wanted more peace and quiet.

No parties?  :o
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Bluenose on July 01, 2018, 02:00:54 AM
Hey!  I just thought of a solution...  drink gin and tonic instead!
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on July 02, 2018, 08:48:11 PM
Fortunately, there is no beer shortage in Wales where I am now.
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on July 03, 2018, 02:53:52 AM
Is it true Brits like their beer warm?  :o
Title: Re: Britain faces beer shortage in hottest part of summer!
Post by: Dave on July 03, 2018, 05:35:42 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on July 03, 2018, 02:53:52 AM
Is it true Brits like their beer warm?  :o
In comparison to the near frozen lager type drinks other countries go for - yes!

Real ale, the tradional bitter, pale, mild and brown varieties were often served at room temperature, though ideally 11-14C is the modern temp. The traditional ales were "designed" to be dispensed from casks on trestles behind the bar in the days before electricity. Beers had hops added as a preservative for storing (a "lager" is a store) and travelling and the world went downhill from there. "Stout" was just that, a brew that could withstand the battering of travel, as in "stout hearted fellow".

Lager relies on refrigeration in the brewing process to slow it down - OK, if you had snowy mountains available before electricity!

"Indian pale ale" was a light ale that could survive the ship ride to India.