Not exactly a shortage of beer, but a shortage of a vital ingredient therein. As the Associated Press reported last week, brewers are having trouble finding enough hops, the plant that provides the bitter aspect of a beer's flavor as well as a floral aroma.

While enjoying a pint of seasonal roggenbier last night at Boscos Squared, I asked bartender Craig about this, and he said Boscos indeed was feeling the pinch. The Midtown brew pub has raised the price of its pints by 50 cents in response.