 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. AP - Blake Thompson and his fellow beer-makers at Fernson Brewing Co. had planned to use white cans for the Sioux Falls-based brewerys new hard seltzer. Thompson reached out to the supplier to inquire about getting some extra stock of the white-painted cans commonly used by large manufacturers of hard seltzers. At first, the supplier said it would only be a matter of weeks before new inventory became available, Thompson said. But then things changed. Everyone started canning like crazy, he told the Argus Leader. I went on the phone and tried to order some cans and the guy was like, We cant get those until fourth quarter. Fernson and other breweries in Sioux Falls are adjusting to shifting market conditions in the alcohol industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant increase in retail beer and soda sales has created a drain on the nations supply of aluminum cans. Consumers across the United States are buying more of their beverages from retailers and bringing the products home during the coronavirus pandemic, while taps of all kinds remain quiet. While the rush on product has allowed breweries who do retail sales to make up ground, it hasnt been enough to offset the losses suffered by taprooms and bars. COVID kind of flipped our business to can sales more than kegs, Thompson said. Were trying really hard to not have to rely on draft sales, because people just dont want to go out like they used to, which is fair. But they still want to drink. Shift in drinking habits Bar business in Sioux Falls is nowhere near what it normally is during the spring and summer months, and even a bit of recovery in recent months wasnt enough to get the citys watering holes up to speed. City officials... 