It’s always some sort of doom with this crowd over a minimal 1.5F increase over 170 years
Climate change impacting craft brewers
There is no surprise that craft beers have been on the rise over the last ten years. In fact, they account for nearly a quarter of the national $144 billion beer market. They also enhance the local economy by contributing to over 550,000 jobs. However, recent changes in climate are forcing brewers to adapt.
Beer consists of four main ingredients: water, yeast, hops, and barely. In order for the crop to have a successful season it needs the right amount of water, relatively cool temperatures, and little storm activity. If any of these are not adhered too, the crop will be more prone to disease and potentially die. The real issue tends to be surrounding heat and drought, which becomes more common under a warming climate. This can translate to seed yields declining as much as 95%, an increase in starch levels, and altering proteins within the seed. All of these can have devastating effects when creating beer, and can alter taste or inhibit fermentation.
What is also concerning is that winter snowpack is trending downward, meaning that there is less water to feed crops. The majority of U.S. hops are grown in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, but snowpack has been on a steady decline over the last several decades. The average snowpack in the Oregon Cascades has declined 50% since 1950, and is likely to be cut in half again over the next 30 years. Another concern is that about 58% of power across the Pacific Northwest comes from hydroelectric dams, so as snowmelt decreases the availability of power does as well.
There are only two more paragraphs in the article, and neither of them tells us exactly what effect a mildly changing climate, whether anthropogenic or natural, has actually had on craft beers. Something that would be rather important to know, wouldn’t you think? But, that’s not the point. The point is that this could be doom, and you, as a beer drinker, are supposed to become Concerned and give your money, freedom, and choice to Government.
Is it really worth your time to go after a nearly unintelligible piece like this?
In any event, of course global warming will affect water, barley and hops.
Don’t be silly.
It doesn’t exist.
50 center? Can we trust the AGW models like the Cornoavirus models that are consistently WRONG?
Should we spend 100 trillion over the next 2 decades making America communist on the basis of what MIGHT happen in 100 years but most likely in all probability will never happen?
Is that part of the 50 center program from China?
I’ve never tried a beer made with “barely”. Something new on the market or is that the new name for the plant that can survive this excruciating temperature change.
This is great news. Maybe if there are less hops in the world, we will see the decline of all the crappy IPA’s that taste like PineSol®.