Unveiling the Urgency: How Climate Change Threatens the Future of Your Beer

Brace yourselves for some alarming news about climate change and its impact on the brewing industry. A recent study published in Nature Communications has revealed that hops production in Europe is declining in both quality and quantity. This decline will inevitably affect the taste and cost of beer within the next 25 years. According to Miroslav Trnka, one of the co-authors of the study, “Beer drinkers will definitely notice the effects of climate change, either through higher prices or lower quality.” The delicate hops plant, which imparts flavor to most beer varieties, does not respond well to changes in light, heat, or water. Already, rising temperatures and drought conditions have started to impact hops farmers.

Trnka adds, “Hops growers will need to make extra efforts to maintain the same level of quality as today. This will likely require increased investment.” The study estimates a 4% to 18% decrease in hops yields and a 20% to 31% reduction in the alpha acids that contribute to beer’s taste and aroma by the year 2050. Major European hops producers, including Germany, have already witnessed significant drops in crop yields. This trend is concerning, especially considering the growing demand for hops due to the popularity of craft beers and breweries.

Chuck Skypeck from the Brewers Association explains, “Craft brewers rely on hops for their IPAs. We have seen struggling hop-growing areas that cannot meet the necessary conditions.” As for hops grown in the Yakima Valley in Washington state, they currently benefit from the low humidity which creates ideal conditions for growth. However, the impact of climate change on hops crops in this region remains uncertain, although recent summer yields have been less than stellar. (In unrelated news, an Illinois brewery has distanced itself from a new controversial beer called “Woke-Free”.)