The hop crisis
Posted by lhmark on October 5, 2007
Ive been reading about the disappointing worldwide hop yield. Apparently, brewers are going to see a huge increase in hop costs due to decreased supply. I guess we drinkers will be shelling out more for our beer.
I wonder how this will affect American brewing tradition. Will the added cost and reduced availability reduce the number of super-extreme hop-hog beers? Will we see a shift toward milder English style ales? Will this give the Macros the ammunition to regain the market share they’ve been slowly losing to craft beer?
I think all three of these things will happen, and I’m hoping for a fourth: that , through the famous ingenuity of American brewes, the focuse is shifted to create new, session beer styles that could be every bit as emblematic of US brewing as imperial IPA. When the going gets tough, we adapt, right?
I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
-Mark
October 5, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Or they just continue brewing the same things and raise the prices on our end. We will continue to buy their Imperial IPAs at higher prices even if we have to cut corners and scrounge for the money. ‘Cause when the going gets tough, we adapt, right?
October 5, 2007 at 7:42 pm
That’s true, and that’s how things will go as long as hops are available. but what if they actually become difficult for the little guy to get? What if A-B decides to use their financial muscle to buy out huge chunks of the hop crop? It’s gonna be an interesting year.
October 5, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Actually, you make a valid point. From what I hear of growing hops, this is a problem that could last for several years, as it takes 2-3 years for new hops to be ready for harvesting/brewing. An all out hop famine could be devastating for some micro brewers who can’t, as you suggest, adapt. The next few years could be a great time for those who can, with the creation of new styles based on a lower hop supply. I hope things right themselves soon though because I like my double IPAs, gosh darn it.
October 8, 2007 at 10:09 am
Here’s hoping the Macro’s come fighting back hard and put a hurting on the craft beer share.
October 23, 2007 at 4:09 am
The craft brewers will need to get smart and start looking for small, independent hop growers that can provide them the hops they need. BTW, A-B already uses their finacial muscle power and controls alot of the hops that are produced here in the USA. Just go to Hop Union in Yakima Washington and ask them what the miles and miles of warehouses are used for. They are basically holding areas for all of the hops A-B has already purchased.
Don’t fret, the good craft breweries will find a way to continue producing fantastic beers. Some recipes might change a bit, but you will still get your big hopped beers for sure. A little pricier, but still worth every penny.
November 8, 2007 at 9:05 pm
but…there are none for the brewerys to find anymore.. I know as I work at one
December 31, 2007 at 10:07 pm
I would like to costume raise hops and be assured that there is a market for them. the time for a famer to look for a market is before he has a crop not after.