America Is Facing A Beer Can Shortage Thanks To The Pandemic & White Claw

First came toilet paper, then came coins. Now America is facing a shortage of aluminum cans thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. CNN reports that the problem stems in part from the fact that "beer that would have ended up in kegs at restaurants [is now] consumed at home -- often in cans." The country is also hoarding canned foods in basements and pantries, and while those cans are usually made from steel, the trend is still "throwing brewer supply chains out of whack." Another factor? White Claw, which is available only in aluminum cans and became hugely popular long before the pandemic began. ​​"This is a little bit of Covid, a little bit of market dynamics over the long run," says Lester Jones, chief economist at the Wholesalers Association. Canned beer has likewise enjoyed a surge in popularity, accounting for 60 percent of all beer sold in 2019--up 20 percent since 2010.