The Daily Dish: Pumpkin Shortage Could Be A Problem For Pumpkin Beer This Year

Pumpkin Shortage Could Be a Problem For Pumpkin Beer This Year

For some, the arrival of fall means back to school or crispy leaves; for others, it's the return of pumpkin-flavored everything. Pumpkin beer is one of the perennial favorites, but for fans of fall-themed brews, things could get a little difficult this year. Following the "Great Pumpkin Shortage of 2015," autumnal beers and Thanksgiving pumpkin pies may be in short supply. Fortunately, most brewers have prepared far enough ahead of time that their brews may not actually be affected, but some pumpkin beers or pumpkin-flavored treats may come out later than usual this year. We're crossing our fingers that Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte will be poured right on schedule.

Here's Why Two Italian Police Officers Cooked Dinner for an Elderly Couple

Police in Rome were called to an apartment after neighbors heard screaming and crying coming from inside. Two officers arrived on the scene expecting an incident of domestic violence, but instead they found an elderly couple crying in despair over their loneliness and all the tragedies that have been happening in the world lately. After the officers called an ambulance to check on the couple — 89-year-old Jole and 94-year-old Michele — they noticed that the apartment was disheveled and absent of food, except for a few shriveled grapes. When the officers spoke with the elderly couple about their isolation and extreme loneliness they decided to cook a dinner of spaghetti with butter and parmesan for Jole and Michele. That heartwarming but simple act resulted in a Facebook post that has since been shared more than 25,000 times.

You Can Now Get Your Franklin Barbecue Fix Without Waiting Hours in Line

Austin's Franklin Barbecue is known for its brisket and hours-long lines thateven Kanye can't even get out of, but now there's a way to skip the line entirely. The restaurant has launched a new pickup trailer for customers to pick up their preorders. Preorders are placed on a website, where time slots open up on the first Monday of every month for the following month. There is a five-pound minimum and 30-pound maximum, which can be made up of any combination of meats offered at Franklin Barbecue. But that's not all; preorders also require a $75 nonrefundable deposit.

New Trump Hotel in DC to Serve Expensive Wine on a Silver Spoon

The Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., which will open Sept. 12, boasts Washington's largest hotel suite, a 10,000-square-foot day spa named after Ivanka Trump, "a daily sabering of a champagne bottle," and wine by the spoon. The "wines by the spoon" will allow guests to taste "ounce-size samples of rare and expensive wine." Daniel Mahdavian, director of food and beverage for the hotel and a cocktail mixologist, said he has been experimenting with unusual ingredients such as saffron and fresh ground garam masala. For food, the menu will highlight local offerings such as Maryland blue crabs, Virginia swordfish, and cheese from creameries in Virginia and Maryland.

PepsiCo's 'Stubborn Soda' Hits Shelves Nationwide

PepsiCo's Stubborn Soda is officially on shelves at major retailers nationwide, following its initial launch at select foodservice locations on fountain in 2015. Stubborn Soda comes in five flavors that are described as "an unexpected twist on traditional flavors," contains 90 to 100 calories (compared to 150 calories in a bottle of regular Pepsi of the same size), and is "made with Fair Trade Certified Cane Sugar and Stevia." On whether the product is truly "the next generation of carbonated soft drinks," a Beverage Daily editor says that though the product addresses changing consumer preferences — "bold and interesting taste combinations," "quality," and "calorie content of soft drinks and concern over artificial sweeteners" —the product is still fairly new, so "only time will tell."

That's today's daily dish, thanks for watching. Stop by tomorrow for another helping.