Low Danube Water Delays Craft Beer Shipments to Meridian

Nord Europa's craft breweries are feeling the pinch of the Danube's record-low water levels, which have slowed barge traffic along the river's southern edge. The region's largest brewers' cooperative reported this week that shipments of bottled beer to Meridian have been delayed by up to ten days.

The cooperative has shifted most federal deliveries to rail, a more expensive but reliable alternative. 'The barges are running at half capacity,' said cooperative chairman Marek Novak. 'We are adapting, but the costs are real.'