Climate Change may increase Beer Prices

I suppose this isn't new news, but there is a report out that says global climate change may be contributing to the failures of barley and hop crops.

According to Jim Salinger, a climate scientist at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, the warming globe will likely cause a decline in the production of malting barley, which, when combined with the scarcity of hops right now, stands to have a profound and negative impact on the world’s beer supply starting now, and for decades to come.

It seems that weather related failure of hop crops in Germany and Slovenia are causing a worldwide shortage.


This news doesn't effect most light beer producing companies. This only seriously effects micro brews and craft brewers who tend to produce more sophisticated blends of beer that use more hops.


Hops are a flavoring and stability agent in beer. They are used to balance the sweetness of malt, creating a taste that is more balanced. Besides bitterness, hops can be described as having complex flavors. Some describe hops as having "grassy", "floral", "citrus", "spicy", "piney" and "earthy" aromas. In short, hops, make beer taste good.



Whether climate change is the cause, the fact remains that the beer industry is strained for hops. The price of beer will most likely increase.