Britain is facing a beer drought this summer as carbon dioxide (CO2) supplies run at their lowest levels for decades.
Any shortage which affects sales would come as a bitter blow to the UK pub industry which had been looking to the World Cup and summer in general to boost flagging sales.
14mln extra pints
Pub operators have been hit by higher costs and squeezed household incomes in recent months, which have put pressure on their top and bottom lines.
England fans alone are expected to drink 14mln extra pints during the group stages of the World Cup, possibly more if the Three Lions progress beyond that.
But there are worries that a shortage of CO2 could mean pubs are unable to service the increased demand.
There is only one big UK plant producing carbon dioxide currently in operation, while several European sites are also offline at the moment.
CO2 comes from ammonia plants which manufacture fertiliser, but as demand for that peaks in winter, producers often shut down during the summer months for maintenance work.
Gasworld, the trade publication which first reported the issue, said carbonated drinks producers were now “desperate” to secure their supplies amid the worst CO2 supply crisis for years.
‘Spoons monitoring situation
A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon PLC (LON:JDW) said the value pub chain has not been affected yet.
“We are fully aware of the situation. At present none of our pubs have been affected and are offering their full range of drinks.
“We are monitoring the situation closely with our suppliers in order to minimise any disruptions that might occur.”