Global warming reaches crisis stage as beer production to be impacted

September 16, 7:44 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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Will global warming affect beer production?

Melting polar ice caps, a warming climate and dire warnings from Al Gore and James Hansen have not been enough to convince the world of the need to battle manmade climate change. A new study may turn the tide for global warming alarmists however as it has been revealed that the quality of hops, that essential ingredient for making beer, has been impacted by climate change.

A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology demonstrated that “hops will be particularly vulnerable to a change in climate.” Dr.Martin Mozny of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute found that the quality of Saaz hops has been decreasing over the last 50 years due to lower levels of alpha acid in the crop.

Increased global temperatures have resulted in an earlier onset of the hops’ growing phases and overall shortening of the vegetation period. The end result was a 0.06 percent drop per year of the crucial alpha acid since 1954. A 5% concentration of the acid is ideal for giving pilsner bear its desired delicate and bitter taste.

• Examiner.com coverage - Climate change and global warming

"Even with the modest warming so far experienced yields have stagnated and quality declined,” the study says. It further warns that other hop growing regions in the globe are affected as well. Francesco Tubiello, a crop specialist who assisted in authoring the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report told New Scientist, "The famous hop-growing regions of eastern Germany and central Slovakia are facing the same situation."

The study authors did not address how climate change may impact hops in the United States however it is reasonable to assume that if global warming is affecting the crop in Europe, it most likely is affecting North America as well.

Beer drinkers may want to take note of this revealing study and perhaps consider supporting cap and trade legislation and a more comprehensive global warming treaty. Nothing less than your beer is at stake.

Not only does Charlie Papazian, Great American Beer Festival founder, write for Examiner.com, but we have dozens of other craft beer experts covering hops and barley. Follow their coverage throughout September of one of the world's largest beer festivals. Click here for Charlie’s take on beer, GABF articles and details on how you can win tickets to the festival!