Global Warming Threatens the Bitter Taste of Beer: Declining Hop Production Spells Trouble for Brewers and Drinkers

Scientists caution that global warming is altering the flavor and character of beer. A recent study reports a decline in the supply of European hops, responsible for the beer's unique bitterness. Prolonged scorching and arid summers are expected to exacerbate this issue, potentially increasing beer prices. The researchers advise farmers to adjust their cultivation methods.

Low Hops Supply Affects Beer Price

Beer holds a crucial place in European culture, with a staggering 8.5 billion pints sold in the UK alone, making it the world's third most consumed beverage after water and tea. The surge of the craft beer industry has sparked heightened consumer demand for distinctive, robust-flavored beers, driving an increased utilization of premium hops.

The study, titled "Climate-induced decline in the quality and quantity of European hops calls for immediate adaptation measures" published in the journal Nature, examined the average yield of aroma hops from 1971-1994 and and again in 1995-2018, revealing a concerning nearly 20% decline in hop production in certain key hop-growing regions.

The repercussions are far-reaching, with potential ramifications for hop growers who fail to adapt. This could endanger the profitability of hop cultivation in specific areas, ultimately leading to reduced output and higher costs for brewers.

The price of beer has already risen by 13% since the 2020 pandemic, driven by increasing energy expenses due to inflation and the gas crisis triggered by the Ukraine invasion. Although the average price of a draught pint has slightly decreased, brewers now face a 10.1% hike in taxes on bottled and canned beer.

Martin Mozny, co-author of the study and a research scientist at the Czech Academy of Sciences, underscores the potential consequences, highlighting that a failure to adapt could undermine the viability of hop cultivation in certain regions, resulting in diminished production and elevated prices for brewers.

Climate Change Link in Beer Quality

The attribution for the decline of hops production lies in drier conditions, presumably arising from climate change, as indicated by researchers from the Czech Academy of Sciences and Cambridge University.

The surge in craft beer popularity has heightened the demand for premium hops, further emphasizing the vital role of hops in beer flavor. This is significant because the study reveals a reduction in the alpha bitter acids of hops, which are a crucial influence on beer taste, primarily due to increasingly higher and extreme temperatures.

Despite global efforts to combat climate change, greenhouse gas emissions from human activities have continued to raise temperatures. The study anticipates that the critical 1.5-degree Celsius threshold will likely be surpassed within the next five to seven years.

In response to these challenges, farmers have been adapting their cultivation practices by relocating farms to areas with more rainfall in higher valley locations and implementing irrigation systems.

Nevertheless, the study's authors stress the need for increased investments in adaptation and assert that a 20% expansion in the area dedicated to growing aroma hops will be essential to offset potential future declines.

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