Global warming is increasingly affecting beer production. Two of the popular drink’s key ingredients – malting barley and hops – are sensitive to heat, meaning farmers and breweries must adapt. These mainly prepare by switching to heat-resistant plants such as winter barley. Climate change is unlikely to have a major impact on beer prices.
The climate effects are especially visible in spring barley, which experiences temperatures that are unusually warm for Austria. It simply lacks the biological characteristics to withstand the changes. During drought, the plant forms smaller grains, making it unusable for brewing purposes.
Big swings
The result: In recent decades, the country’s spring barley area has shrunk dramatically, while winter barley has recently increased. In addition, the weather, which is always extreme even in Austria, affects quality and quantity. “Fluctuations of 20 to 30 percent per year are certainly possible,” explains agricultural economist Franz Sinabell of Wifo.
The consequences are similar for hops
The heat also affects the hops. The growing areas could therefore move north in the future, from an Austrian perspective to Poland, the Czech Republic or even Finland, where the climate is cooler and growing conditions are better. In this country, hops are mainly grown in the Mühlviertel in Upper Austria.
Research into climate-friendly breeding
The domestic Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) confirms that research into climate-friendly breeding is paying off. The development of new malting barley and other plant varieties is a lengthy process – it takes about ten years for a new variety to be developed – but every year new seeds are registered for testing.
More environmentally friendly production
The breweries themselves are responding to the changes on several levels: Firstly, they are increasingly dependent on winter barley or barley grown in the autumn. On the other hand, many breweries try to source regionally produced barley and hops through long-term purchasing contracts. Overall, the topic of environmentally friendly production is becoming increasingly important for breweries, especially as social changes take place and consumer expectations increase.
No price increase expected
The good news for beer lovers: significant price increases are unforeseeable due to the effects of climate change. More important factors for pricing are the areas of marketing and logistics.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
