Bitter times ahead! How climate change spells disaster for your favorite beer | World news
Researchers in Oregon have revealed the adverse effect of heat and drought on hops, an important ingredient in craft beer. John Henning, a USDA hop geneticist, described the results as “eye-opening.” The study found that extreme temperatures and lack of water significantly reduced the levels of alpha acid in hops, leading to a less sweet beer.
Rise in prices: Craft beer prices set to soar as hops supply dries up
The price of hops and the resulting beer prices are expected to rise as producers contend with a shortage of alpha acid extract. Henning said, “That’s basic supply and demand.” Although hops growers can mitigate the effects of dry conditions with increased water use, high temperatures pose a much greater challenge. Finding hop strains that can adapt to rising temperatures is an ongoing struggle for researchers.
Heat Damage: Higher temperatures leave the aftertaste of craft beer on the rocks
Climate change is a major threat to hops and barley worldwide. Farmers may face reduced yields per acre, leading to reduced quality and beer prices. Growing hops is already a challenging task, because they need specific amounts of sunlight to start the flowering stage.
Fire smoke imparts an unpleasant taste to the essential ingredients of craft beer
Another unique challenge facing the beer industry is the rising risk of forest fires. Fire smoke has a drying effect on hop and barley grounds, which has the potential to impart these essential ingredients with an undesirable taste. Tom Shellhammer, a professor at Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, confirmed the persistent issue of large fire smoke affecting beer production year after year. .
Canada’s wildfires signal a potential barley supply crisis
Also, US manufacturers depend on ingredients from Canada. Patrick Hayes, a professor at Oregon State University, warned that the wildfires that are burning Canadian regions could portend a bleak future for the barley supply chain.
Europe has experienced the devastating effect of drought on hops. In 2022, German hop yields are reduced by more than 20% compared to typical years. Even domestic growers faced hardships, as wildfires in Oregon and Washington damaged hops with a smoky flavor, disappointing brewers.
Researchers and for-profit companies around the world are striving to breed barley and hops resilient to climate extremes. However, these efforts come with their own challenges. While innovative solutions like Sattler’s discovery of a heat-tolerant hop variety provide glimmers of hope, the complexity of climate change demands a holistic and diverse approach to securing the future of the craft beer industry.
