Warning , there could be a shortage of BEER!!!

[The Hunter of Jahanna]

Beer shortage could drive Germans to drink 20 December 2002 BERLIN: German drinkers could be about to face their worst nightmare - a beer shortage. The potential trickle in the supply of the nation's favourite tipple is due to new government regulations restricting deposits of disposable cans and bottles which takes effect in January. Retailers say it may mean there may not be enough beer in shops. The government is imposing charges on non-reusable containers because it says the percentage of recycled cans and bottles has fallen below a 72 percent minimum target set in 1997. "We may not have enough beer available to meet the demand in January," Jan Holzweissig, spokesman for the German retailers' association, told Reuters. "A lot of stores are planning to remove beer and other drinks in disposable containers off their shelves next month because of the new rules." Shops don't have any room to store the empty cans and bottles, he added. The government is introducing a deposit of 25 cents in January for small non-refillable cans and bottles, and 50 cents for larger containers. Deposits will be returned when the bottles and cans are returned. The measure is designed to counter a growing trend towards non-reusable containers. "Will there be enough beer?" asked Germany's best-selling daily in bold letters on its front page on Thursday. "Large retailers are planning to stop selling canned drinks altogether. It could mean that beer in returnable bottles will be in short supply." It's a scary thought for Germans. Germany is the world's leading producer of beer with some 1,200 breweries nationwide churning out 53 million hectolitres each year. Germans drink a per capita average of about 123 litres of beer annually, ranking them only just behind the Czech Republic and Ireland. Beer is among the most important drinks in Germany, accounting for as much as half of the daily intake of fluids for some people. It is not uncommon for workers to sip an ale during mid-morning breaks or at lunch. Vending machines often have beer and the drink can be ordered at fast-food restaurants. The Aldi supermarket chain, a market leader in the discount sector, said they were planning to stop selling non-reusable bottles and cans altogether. "Until a reasonable solution to this problem is found, we're not going to sell any more drinks in non-returnable cans or bottles," an Aldi spokeswoman said. Environmental bodies say the measures support their campaign to clear three billion cans and bottles from Germany's streets

What will Johnny and LOA do now?

[Lord Starshadow]

Oh my goodness! I'm sure glad I don't live in Germany. That would be the most awful thing to ever happen!

[johnny]

This is serious, we need to put all our differences aside for once. A German without beer is not a pretty sight.

[Cloudbringer]

Egads! This could mean that johnny and LoA might post while....*whispers* SOBER! They might have to stay that way for ....hours!OH MY! [img]graemlins/wow.gif[/img] It's a disaster waiting to happen, I tell you!

[Lord Starshadow]

Originally posted by Cloudbringer: Egads! This could mean that johnny and LoA might post while....*whispers* SOBER! They might have to stay that way for ....hours!OH MY! [img]graemlins/wow.gif[/img] It's a disaster waiting to happen, I tell you!

No, I think they'll be okay, as long as they aren't in Germany in the near future. We wouldn't want those two to enter that horrible mind state.

[TheCrimsomBlade]

Tuff luck, Buy Keg beer it taste better anyway

[johnny]

I still have a little reserve, if it gets too much for LoA, he can stay at my place until this nightmare is over.

[Sever]

And the headlines read: "Recycling rates continue to fall as Germany stages a national keg party".

Why anyone would want to drink beer from a can is beyond me.

[johnny]

Don't get an attitude dude, beer is beer.

[Lord Starshadow]

Originally posted by johnny: Don't get an attitude dude, beer is beer.

I can't help but to agree.

[ 12-21-2002, 03:10 AM: Message edited by: Lord Starshadow ]