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- Feb 1, 2015
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The clouds are clearing and the sky has brightened. For more than fifty years now, I have been drinking a local local beer called Heileman's Special Export almost exclusively. Originally, it was brewed in LaCrosse, WI by the G Heileman Brewing Company. The brand has changed hands several times in the past few decades and following has dropped off to the point where few publicans and restaurateurs have ever heard of it but I have remained loyal, having my glass a day with my supper.
With the COVID pandemic, my wife has taken over the bi-weekly chore of food and beverage shopping. About two months ago, she was told that there was no Export and there wouldn't be any until October. I had seen an article last Spring about a shortage of CO2 causing a problem for the brewing industry. Go figure! Apparently much of the food grade CO2 is a byproduct from the ethanol fuel production and with the decrease demand for fuel due to the pandemic, ethanol production was down.
I had half of a thirty pack left which would carry me through a couple of weeks. With an unknown future ahead, I began a search for a replacement. MGD is a beer that I often drink when out and is close but not the same. I tried Pabst Blue Ribbon but it doesn't taste as good as it did in my college days. Some previous dinner guests had left a beer called Supper Club from the Capital Brewery in Madison, WI but it was like a cut above dish water. The horizon was looking dark indeed.
Well, last Tuesday, the wife was doing her biweekly shop and noticed that Export was on the shelf again. Hallelujah! Without hesitation, she bought four 30 packs. This is enough to last for almost four months and hopefully a vaccine will be approved, possibly taking us on a path out of this most miserable of years. Lesson learned, we will be restocking as supplies start to dwindle, trying to keep at least two months in reserve.
With the COVID pandemic, my wife has taken over the bi-weekly chore of food and beverage shopping. About two months ago, she was told that there was no Export and there wouldn't be any until October. I had seen an article last Spring about a shortage of CO2 causing a problem for the brewing industry. Go figure! Apparently much of the food grade CO2 is a byproduct from the ethanol fuel production and with the decrease demand for fuel due to the pandemic, ethanol production was down.
I had half of a thirty pack left which would carry me through a couple of weeks. With an unknown future ahead, I began a search for a replacement. MGD is a beer that I often drink when out and is close but not the same. I tried Pabst Blue Ribbon but it doesn't taste as good as it did in my college days. Some previous dinner guests had left a beer called Supper Club from the Capital Brewery in Madison, WI but it was like a cut above dish water. The horizon was looking dark indeed.
Well, last Tuesday, the wife was doing her biweekly shop and noticed that Export was on the shelf again. Hallelujah! Without hesitation, she bought four 30 packs. This is enough to last for almost four months and hopefully a vaccine will be approved, possibly taking us on a path out of this most miserable of years. Lesson learned, we will be restocking as supplies start to dwindle, trying to keep at least two months in reserve.
