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We are staring down the barrel of a state-backed beer crisis
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As the war in Iran escalates, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has choked off global shipping lanes
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triggering a potential CO2 shortage right here in the UK. With the World Cup just two months away, the government is now contemplating exercise turnstone
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a secret contingency plan to prevent food shortages and empty taps at the bar
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This isn't just about a lack of bubbles, it's a direct consequence of a global energy war
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The situation is so dire that the government last month authorised a Ā£100 million emergency package to restart the mothboard CO2 plant on Teesside
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It's a move that could ensure England's World Cup kickoffs are accompanied by pints
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The timing is a nightmare for the hospitality sector. We have 1,500 breweries bracing for record demand, but without CO2, they simply cannot package or pour
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A British Beer and Pub Association spokesperson told me that the UK's domestic CO2 supply
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chain is vital for our brewers and pubs, and something they are closely monitoring
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They said that they're in contact with the government should concerns arise
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We're talking about a summer of sport where the government might literally have to ration
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carbonation to keep the nation's pubs from going dry. Beyond the pub, the Iran war is hitting every corner of the British supermarket
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CO2 is vital for stunning livestock and packaging fresh meat and salads
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While the government uses taxpayer money to keep the Teesside plant alive, critics argue
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this is a failure of British industrial resilience. Is state-backed beer the new normal in a world at war, or should the UK have been better
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prepared for this supply chain shock? Drop your thoughts in the comments
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For the latest on how the Iran conflict is reshaping the city, visit cityam.com
