CITY LIFE
THE NEXT DRAFT
Cracking open the can shortage MATTHEW TOTA
gets any worse, we could see more empty soda and seltzer aisles, and more bottled beers. ately, I have spent more time Last month, the U.S. Brewers Asthan I would like to admit worrying about the aluminum sociation issued an advisory on the can shortage, attributing it to a larger can shortage in the U.S. overall demand for cans across all It started about a month ago at beverage industries, including soda, the Wegmans in Northboro. Seltzer coffee, kombucha and even wine, as water usually ends up being the last thing I cross off on my list — a couple well as the spike in liquor store and 12-packs of Polar. Only, there were no bottle shop sales brought on by the Polar cans in the aisle. A robust sup- pandemic. “The can shortage may threaten ply of Polar cans at a Massachusetts the ability to survive the pandemic grocery store is probably one of the for some craft brewers,” the BA said. few constants in this life. Not quite “The smallest brewers are most likely ready to declare the anomaly a sign of the end times, I left dumbfounded to have orders delayed or canceled, as can manufacturers are more effiand with off-brand seltzer. cient when they don’t have to change Then two weeks ago, Tree House out the printing plates as often. A Brewing Co. ratcheted up my mild company ordering a half or full truckunease to outright concern. The load may be less of a priority.” brewery put Green, one of its oldest But it’s not just the small brewerand most beloved American IPAs, into bottles. If you know Tree House, ies now that are struggling with the can shortage. you know it rarely bottles anything For the first time in a decade, these days beyond stouts. No, Wormtown Brewery saw one of its Tree House’s vessel of choice is the 16-ounce can. The brewery even built can orders canceled. Wormtown a massive warehouse to store moun- managing partner David Fields said at least one of his friends, who runs a tains of them. While most reacted brewery that produces around 7,000 to Tree House’s new bottles with barrels per year, recently had three excitement, relishing the novelty, I can shipments canceled because of wondered if the national can shortlow inventory. age had possibly gotten worse. Wachusett Brewing Co., the third Sure, Polar could have simply largest brewery in the state, has also missed a delivery. Tree House’s Nate Lanier may have decided to bottle on been dealing with canceled can loads. “We are working closely with our a whim. Polar and Tree House have supplier to prioritize and ship what not divulged publicly how the can matters most, but can supply is so shortage has affected them. strained right now with the seismic And yet, the nation’s dwindling shift to off-premise sales that it is inventory of cans has been mostly a impossible for the supply chain to behind-the-scenes problem for craft keep pace,” said Wachusett president brewers and other beverages — one Christian McMahan. caused by the rapid and extraorYou may not have noticed fewer dinary shift in beer sales from onsix-packs of Wachusett because the premise draft pours to off-premise brewery has worked closely with its sales caused by the pandemic. If it
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continued shift to more off-premise sales, we suspect it will be some time before we are all out of the wood,” he said.
“Washington”: Miniseries follows the life of the country’s first president. Jeff Daniels stars. OUT ON DIGITAL HD AUG. 25 “Einstein’s Universe”: The 1979 documentary about the world’s most famous theoretical physicist has been remastered and digitally restored. “One Man and His Shoes”: Documentary explores the history and legacy of the American sensation that is Air Jordan sneakers. OUT ON DIGITAL HD AUG. 28 “Centigrade”: After an intense snowstorm, a man (Vincent Piazza)
and his pregnant wife (Genesis Rodriguez) remain trapped in their car. “Driven to Abstraction”: Documentary examines an infamous $80 million art scheme. “Entwined”: A doctor (Prometheus Aleifer) becomes enchanted by a reclusive woman (Maria Eglezaki) suffering from a mysterious skin condition. In Greek and English. Will be out on DVD and Blu-ray Sept. 8. “Rogue”: A hired gun (Megan Fox) sets off with a team to Africa on a rescue mission. Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray Sept. 1
Tap Notes
Let’s get this out of the way now: Yes, fall beers have already arrived in stores. Yes, Shipyard Brewing Co. has released its famous Pumpkinhead more than a month before pumpkin
picking season in New England. You shouldn’t be surprised. And at this point, we all should get past griping about it. Instead, this year more than any other, let’s embrace the early fall beers as a sign of possibly better days ahead, the majesty of the changing leaves, crock pots of chili and piping hot Swedish meatballs, brisk mornings and, of course, football.
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C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 16
is it? “And I’ve got nothing but time,” sings Beaudet, “Senescent like aged wine/Don’t be so loud when you speak/The walls have teeth.” It’s an interesting note on which to end such a surly album. It’s not what anyone would call an uplifting conclusion. Or is it? The album’s persona seems kind of happy with where he’s ended up. If there’s a joy to be found in nihilism, then it’s certainly to be found here.
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distributor to keep its markets satiated — for now. McMahan does not expect Wachusett’s can supplier to shore up its inventory any time soon, even with the anticipated slowdown in beer sales that typically arrives after Labor Day. “There is generally a natural slowdown in can sales after Labor Day, but with hard seltzer trends remaining, along with an expected
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(Michael Smiley) and Molloy (Kerr Logan). “Deep Blue Sea 3”: Dr. Emma Collins (Tania Raymonde) and her associates return to Little Happy island to study sharks as a suspicious team puts all their lives in jeopardy. “Gunsmoke: The Complete Movie Collection”: Collection includes “Return to Dodge,” “The Last Apache” and “To the Last Man.” “Infamous”: A couple on the
lam (Bella Thorne and Jake Manley) livestream their robberies via social media. “One Night in Bangkok”: A hit man (Mark Davascos) holds a cabbie hostage (Vanida Golten) as he makes his kills. “SEAL Team: Season Three”: The CBS series picks back up with Jason (David Boreanaz) and the team in Serbia. “The Flash: The Complete Sixth Season”: The CW series starring Grant Gustin as the beloved DC superhero marches on.
FILE PHOTO/ASHLEY GREEN
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NEW ON DVD
C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 18
Cans are filled with Wachusett Blueberry along the line at Wachusett Brewery in April 2019. In response to the pandemic, breweries quickly shifted sales from on-premise draft pours to off-premise sales, and that has created a new problem: a shortage of cans.
