I read something about this a month or 2 ago, but don't remember where. Those rechargable CO2 cartridges you used to be able to exchange at Target, Best Buy, etc. -- SodaStream refills. Why is it they're so scarce now?
Is it that CO2 is a by-product of making beer and with bars closed, less beer is selling/being made? Am I remembering this all wrong?
Wait, wut? Mushroom shortages too?
https://www.fooddive.com/news/4-ingredients-facing-shortages-amid-the-pandemic/579323/
Found it (or something credible on the same subject). And I had it backward -- the cause is less ethanol fuel refining, and the effect is also hitting beer production.
"Most of the ethanol produced in the US is blended into gasoline and used as a fuel. As a result, CO2 supplies is linked to fuel demand and production."
https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2020/05/28/10512809/insight-us-co2-shortage-persists-amid-lower-ethanol-refinery-rates