Neil Reid, a professor of geography and planning at the University of Toledo, writes a blog about craft beers under the moniker The Beer Professor. He has discussed with colleagues across the country the impact of breweries on communities.
Reid noted as far back as 2015 there was a hint of a can shortage due to increased popularity of soft drinks and the emerging craft beer industry. This can shortage has been brewing for quite a while, but it was exacerbated by COVID-19, Reid told The Daily Record. Soft drinks, hard seltzers and even cold coffees are being canned. And now, cans are among the preferred vessel of craft beer drinkers.