Supply chain issues have trouble brewing for local craft beer industry

WAXHAW, N.C. — Dreamchasers Brewery owner Neil Gimon is feeling the supply pinch down in Waxhaw. He and wife Anita opened the business in 2016.

Grain deliveries have become a major issue. His main supplier mills the grain for the brewery and ships it — but a switch to FedEx for delivery has resulted in continued problems.

“When you have two out of the three elements you need for brewing, it’s very frustrating,” Gimon says.

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He’s had to call on other local brewers to borrow or buy grain at times. Delays have pushed back his brewing schedule by at least three weeks, leaving fermentor tanks empty.

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“We’ve had a couple of empty tap handles because of not being able to brew in a timely manner,” he says.

Supply chain issues could be a sign of things to come, says Bart Watson, chief economist with the Brewers Association.

Read more here.

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