Critical Beer Supplies In Danger Of Running Dry During The World Cup

World Cup fans who traveled to Moscow for the games want their beer—lots of it. An influx of tourists as well as increased domestic demand during the matches has led to a near-shortage of beer in the Russian host city. Reuters reports Moscow bars are running low on beer and are waiting longer than usual to get fresh supplies, leaving bar and restaurant owners stressed.

"There are really a lot of people in Moscow... and they are all drinking," a waiter in a Moscow restaurant told Reuters. "It's hot, and it's football." Seems logical.

Meanwhile, the beer situation isn't great in the U.K. either, where a shortage of carbon dioxide—used to carbonate beer and push it through draft systems—is putting a pinch on supplies during World Cup viewing parties and summer grill-outs. The BBC reports there's just one CO2 plant currently operating in the U.K., with at least five currently closed for repairs or maintenance.

"It's already stopping production," said Brigid Simmonds, head of the British Beer And Pub Association, tells the BBC.

Trade publication Gasworld calls the shortage the "worst supply situation to hit the European carbon dioxide business in decades" and says carbonated beverage makers are "desperate."

Thirsty soccer fans will be, too, if Russia and the U.K. don't figure out their beer backups.