Nationwide carbon dioxide shortages are generating anxiety for local breweries.

Carbon dioxide, like water, barley or hops is essential in the brewing of beer and without it, breweries will face serious issues in their ability to produce craft beer.

One of the biggest contributors to the shortage is the shut-down of one of the nation's largest gas production hubs in Mississippi. The plant was forced to shut down due to contamination which halted its production process.

Owner and Brewmaster of Coal Country Brewing of Ebensburg, Mike Kutchman, shares in the concern since he just moved his business to a bigger location and has hopes to expand even further.

“I don’t know why or how it happened but if it continues to go on or get worse if it is a supply chain issue or whatever it is, it’s just going to hurt, it’s going to hurt really bad," said Kutchman. "Thus far we’re fine, we have enough probably to last us until about Thanksgiving, but if it would get any more critical, and longer than that, then we will have problems."

The carbon dioxide supply will continue to dwindle as more plants are planning shut-downs in the coming weeks.