Climate change is affecting the quality and flavor of beer, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications. According to the study, the quality of European hops, which give beer its distinct bitter taste, is deteriorating. The abrupt change in temperature, as well as hotter, longer, and drier summers, are exacerbating the situation and may cause the beverage to become more expensive. Hop yields in European regions are expected to fall by 4-18% by 2050, according to researchers, who are asking farmers to change their growing practices.
Beer prices have risen by 13% since the Covid-19 pandemic
Apart from water, yeast, and grain, hops are the fourth ingredient in the beer manufacturing process. According to the study, there was also a reduction of roughly 20% in several key hop-growing areas. The scientists from the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Cambridge University blamed the decline on drier circumstances, most likely caused by recent climate change. “Failure to adapt will jeopardize the profitability of hop growing in some areas. The consequence will be lower production and a higher price for brewers,” Martin Mozny, co-author of the paper and research scientist at CAS said.
Beer prices have risen by 13% since the Covid-19 pandemic. The researchers also discovered that greater and more intense temperatures reduced the alpha bitter acids of hops, which influence the flavor of the beer. Despite global attempts to mitigate climate change, human-caused greenhouse gas emissions have continued to raise temperatures. Farmers have been attempting to boost yields, according to the report, and they are taking initiatives such as moving farms higher up valleys where there is more rainfall and installing irrigation systems. However, experts believe that expanding the area utilized to grow aroma hops by 20% will be required to compensate for future losses.