Climate Change Threatens Beer Production; Industry Adapts with New Strategies

Researchers, farmers, and brewers introduce winter barley and develop drought-resistant hop varieties to counter climate change impacts on beer crops.

• Climate change is impacting two key beer crops, hops and barley, with growers reporting effects from extreme heat, drought, and unpredictable growing seasons.
• Researchers are developing improved hop varieties that can withstand drought and introducing winter barley to counter the effects of volatile weather systems.
• A study predicts that hops yields in Europe will decrease between four to 18% by 2050 due to climate change, which will also affect American producers who rely on European hops.
• Winter barley, a crop planted in the fall and kept on fields during the coldest months, is being considered as a more feasible option in the Midwest due to climate, plant disease, and economic factors.
• Despite the challenges, there is a lack of consensus on the potential of winter barley, with some experts believing it's not worth the trouble, while others are working on improving it.

3 Articles

Washington Post Associated Press Quartz