HMS Fizzy’s steaming over to beat beer drought
THIRSTY fans watching the World Cup are pinning their hopes on a Norwegian barge carrying CO2 to help put fizz into their beer.
A shortage of food-grade gas has led to some pubs running out of certain types of beer and cider, and forced Booker, the cash and carry chain, to limit booze sales to bars, shops and restaurants.
But this weekend, Froya, a vessel operated by Larvik Shipping, was en route to the UK carrying 10,000 tons of CO2. A further cargo of liquified CO2 from Embla, its sister ship, is due to arrive mid-week.
Espen Tollvik, managing director of Larvik, which ships CO2 for gas supplier Praxair, said: ‘The situation is changing by the hour but the UK has priority. We’re doing all we can to help.’
In further good news, lorries are expected to start distributing CO2 around Britain this weekend from the Wilton International Industrial Park on Teesside, which has returned to operation after maintenance.
CO2 has been in short supply since producers across Europe scaled back production this summer for routine maintenance works just as demand soared.
Brigid Simmons, of the British Beer and Pubs Association, said: ‘Keep calm and carry on going to the pub.’
The shortage led Asda to ration soft drinks and the food industry warned of supply threats to pork, chicken, bagged salads and even crumpets.