Your favorite brewery may be sold out – and the reason may surprise you. There were nationwide shortages of aluminum cans of all sizes amid growing demand, and some craft brewers may not be surviving the pandemic.
The Brewers Association, a non-profit trade association representing thousands of brewers across the country, has recently issued a cancer cancer warning to its members. “All can sizes have had periods of shortage – 16 ounces, 12 ounces, slim 12 ounces, and creepers at different levels at different times,” it wrote on July 31st.
“Can deliver is a big deal,” Paul Gatza, senior vice president of the Brewers Association, told CNN Business last month. “We are seeing extended waiting times for can orders as well as some of the smaller players who have not completed orders. Expect to hear more about shortages in liquor companies.”
With bars close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, beers that were once tapped are consumed instead of canned food at home. But the problem traces back several years to “a dramatic shift to aluminum cans as the preferred package for craft beers,” according to the Brewers Association.
Another contributing factor? The increase in sales of canned wines and cocktails. The White Claw craze that started last summer was much more than a trend, and has now expanded into the cold months with new flavor variants such as Pumpkin Spice. Of course, competition for cans is not limited to alcohol. There are also non-spiked seltzers and soft drinks, such as coffee, energy drinks, and kombuchas.
Unfortunately, there is no easy or quick fix to increase supply to keep up with demand. More production capacity will not come until the end of 2021, according to the Brewers Association. Even large companies are affected by the shortages, and it “may threaten the ability to survive the pandemic for some craft brewers.”
Gallery: Your Margaritas Will Taste * SO * Much Better With These Tequila Brands (Delish)
We tend to be pretty much everything when it comes to tequila – evidenced by this list of our favorite favorite bottles. You can slowly soak them, toss them back or mix them into a cocktail. But when it comes to making the perfect margarita, you want a smooth, subtle, 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila that will add a kick without overpowering your drink.
We asked mixologist, influencer and trainer Tiffanie Barriere (you may have recognized her on Instagram as @thedrinkingcoach) to venture in with her favorite tequilas to use in making margaritas. Read on for her picks, plus some extra fans. Then grab your margarine ingredients (like one of these delicious margarita mixes), and let’s drink!
1) Villa One Silver Tequila
$ 47.00
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“Villa One is my new favorite for their caramel and light perrer notes,” says Barriere. “The reposado and blanco carry a richness in the agave that shows me that they bake the agave at the right temperature to collect the delicious nectar.”
2) Don Julio Blanco
$ 59.00
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“Don Julio has herbs! The profile of blanco-flavored has grass and white pepper notes that make me feel like I’m in the sun in Mexico,” says Barriere. “Vibrant and delicious!”
3) Avión Reposado
$ 57.00
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“All three Avion brands bring the fibers,” Barriere explains. “They each allow for different profiles that match each mood or cocktail. The reposado has great graying notes that can give the agave a balance and sweetness of the highland agave plant.”
4) Espolòn Blanco
$ 28.00
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You may have seen this tequila on the bar of your drink-loving friends – and there’s a reason it’s a favorite. Unlike añejo tequilas, blanco tequilas do not age in age to improve flavor, so you need to be a little picky to avoid liquors that have a hard, astringent taste. Espolòn is renowned for its craftsmanship, plus it’s 100% blue Weber agave tequila – rare for the price point!
5) Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
$ 37.99
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Okay, we cheat a bit and throw a mezcal on the list, which is different than tequila. Both tequila and mezcal come from the agave plant, and some find that the signature smokey taste of mezcal is exactly what they like, along with lime and triple sec. If you are new to the world of mezcal, this sleek and sleek bottle serves as a great entry point.
6) El Tesoro Añejo Tequila
$ 60.00
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Generally, age añejo tequila is nipped on its own, such as brandy or scotch. However, the vanilla and caramel notes in this fragrant drink taste great in a margarita.
7) Herradura Silver Tequila
$ 39.99
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Different and medium in price, this smooth tequila will not make your margarita taste hard. In fact, it is so smooth, you can take pictures directly from the bottle.
8) the Jimador Reposado
$ 28.00
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From age three to nine months, reposado tequilas have a little more oaky-ness than their blank counterparts, but not the refinement of añejo tequila. It’s perfect for a not too strong margarita.
9) Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco
$ 36.99
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If you love your margaritas extra, use this tequila. It has notes of grapefruit and green apple for a fruity lake.
10) Casamigos Blanco 750ml
$ 45.00
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George Clooney makes a surprisingly good tequila. You really can’t go wrong with any of the brand’s bottles (including blanco, reposado and añejo tequila), but the smooth, subtle flavor of this blanco tequila will go well with any margarita.
