{"id":42104,"date":"2025-02-03T17:44:04","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T21:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/how-climate-change-threatens-global-beer-production\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T17:44:04","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T21:44:04","slug":"how-climate-change-threatens-global-beer-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/how-climate-change-threatens-global-beer-production\/","title":{"rendered":"How Climate Change Threatens Global Beer Production"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"thebe-1688132131\" class=\"thebe-fuente-preferida-2 thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=thebeertimes.com\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"A\u00f1adir como fuente preferida en google\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1.jpg 638w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1-300x60.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" width=\"175\" height=\"127\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div><p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">By <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/uhartharper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carlos Uhart M.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Climate change is not only transforming ecosystems and altering weather patterns but is also putting at risk one of humanity&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/the-beer-bang-theory-la-cerveza-como-origen-de-la-agricultura-y-la-civilizacion\/\">most iconic cultural products<\/a>: beer.<\/p><div id=\"thebe-2701602054\" class=\"thebe-maridaje-sin-rodes thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-bottom: 40px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-45353\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_-187x300.jpg 187w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_.jpg 312w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0GF4CFJBL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Maridaje de cerveza y marihuana. La ciencia sensorial para el sommelier moderno<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0GF4CFJBL\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34803\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34803\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-34803 size-full\" title=\"Consequences of climate change\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambio-climatico.jpg\" alt=\"Consequences of climate change\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambio-climatico.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambio-climatico-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambio-climatico-114x60.jpg 114w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34803\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Consequences of climate change<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This ancient beverage, which has accompanied entire civilizations, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/cuatro-libros-ingredientes-para-elaborar-cerveza\/\">relies on key ingredients<\/a> like hops and barley\u2014crops that are highly sensitive to climatic variations.<\/p>\n<p>As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, beer production faces unprecedented challenges.<\/p>\n<div id=\"thebe-1258474265\" style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"8775458773\" data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Raw Materials at Risk<\/h2>\n<p>Beer is the result of a careful combination of ingredients: water, malt (usually from barley), hops, and yeast.<\/p>\n<p>However, two of these key components\u2014hops and barley\u2014are under increasing pressure due to climate change.<\/p>\n<p>These crops, which have been the foundation of beer for centuries, are seeing reduced yields and altered essential characteristics. <\/p>\n<h3>1. Hops (Humulus lupulus)<\/h3>\n<p>Hops are a fundamental ingredient in beer, responsible for its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/hoppy-vs-bitter-beer-difference\/\">bitterness and characteristic aromas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, they are extremely sensitive to climatic conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Traditional hop-growing regions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/hallertau-la-gran-produccion-mundial-lupulo\/\">such as Hallertau in Germany<\/a>, Yakima in the United States, and \u017datec in the Czech Republic, have experienced declining yields due to prolonged droughts and heatwaves.<\/p>\n<p>In Europe, hop production has decreased by 13% over the past 20 years due to climate change.<\/p>\n<p>If global temperatures rise by 2\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels, hop production could decline by up to 18% by 2050.<\/p>\n<p>Rising temperatures are altering alpha-acid levels, key compounds for hop bitterness.<\/p>\n<p>In some regions, alpha-acid levels have dropped by up to 20%, affecting the flavor of popular styles like IPAs.<\/p>\n<p>In Yakima, USA, which produces 75% of the country&#8217;s hops, farmers have reported yield losses of up to 15% due to recurring droughts.<\/p>\n<h3>Barley (Hordeum vulgare)<\/h3>\n<p>Barley is another pillar of beer production that is also under threat. <span style=\"font-size: inherit; color: rgba(var(--c-rgba), 0.74);\">This cereal is essential for fermentation, as it provides the sugars needed for yeast to produce alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>However, barley is particularly vulnerable to high temperatures and water scarcity, conditions that are becoming more common due to climate change.<\/p>\n<p>In Canada, one of the largest barley exporters, yields have fallen by 10% over the past decade due to droughts and heatwaves.<\/p>\n<p>Lower-quality barley, with reduced starch levels, can hinder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/el-triangulo-amoroso-de-la-fermentacion-cerveza-vino-e-hidromiel\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"296\">fermentation efficiency<\/a>.<\/p><div id=\"thebe-1215880977\" class=\"thebe-libros-amazon thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-43340 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Gu\u00eda Pr\u00e1ctica Catar Cerveza Amazon\" width=\"200\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-370x370.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LddZmQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Gu\u00eda pr\u00e1ctica para catar cerveza: C\u00f3mo apreciar correctamente todas las cervezas del mundo<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LddZmQ\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In Australia, the protein content of barley has increased by 5%, affecting its suitability for beer production.<\/p>\n<p>In Northern Europe, where 60% of the world&#8217;s beer barley is grown, farmers have reported yield losses of up to 7% due to extreme weather conditions.<\/p>\n<h2>Economic Consequences<\/h2>\n<p>The impact of climate change on raw materials is already reflected in production costs.<\/p>\n<p>Craft breweries, which rely on high-quality ingredients and operate on a smaller scale, are the most affected.<\/p>\n<p>The price of hops has increased by 20% over the past five years, while barley costs have risen by 15% in the same period.<\/p>\n<p>Small breweries have had to raise their product prices by 10% to 15% to offset higher raw material costs.<\/p>\n<p>If current trends continue, beer production costs could increase by up to 30% by 2030, affecting both producers and consumers.<\/p>\n<h2>Innovations and Adaptations<\/h2>\n<p>Scientists are developing new varieties of hops and barley that require less water and are more heat-resistant.<\/p>\n<p>In Slovenia, the Hop Research and Brewing Institute has created the &#8220;Aurora&#8221; hop variety, which is 15% more drought-resistant.<\/p>\n<p>In Canada, the University of Saskatchewan has developed the &#8220;CDC Copeland&#8221; barley, which tolerates heat better and requires less water.<\/p>\n<p>Some breweries are exploring innovative techniques to ensure a stable supply of raw materials.<\/p>\n<p>In Oregon, USA, Hopworks Urban Brewery has reduced its water consumption by 25% through drip irrigation systems.<\/p>\n<p>In Spain, Cervezas La Virgen has implemented a water recycling system that reduces consumption by 30%, lowering both environmental impact and operational costs.<\/p>\n<div id=\"thebe-1769686768\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"1179889612\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<h2>The Future of Beer<\/h2>\n<p>The future of beer largely depends on the actions taken today.<\/p>\n<p>If greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, beer production could become more expensive and less accessible.<\/p>\n<p>However, if the industry and governments collaborate to implement sustainable practices and reduce the impact of climate change, these effects can be mitigated.<\/p>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>Climate change represents an unprecedented challenge for the beer industry, but it is also an opportunity to innovate and adopt more sustainable practices.<\/p>\n<p>Collaboration among scientists, farmers, breweries, and consumers will be key to ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/a-que-nos-referimos-por-calidad-en-cervezas\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"295\">high-quality beer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"thebe-1769686768\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"1179889612\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<h2>References<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Mozny, M., Trnka, M., Vlach, V., Zalud, Z., &amp; Potopova, V. (2020). The impact of climate change on the yield and quality of hops (<em>Humulus lupulus<\/em> L.) in the Czech Republic. <em>Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 291<\/em>, 108081. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.agrformet.2020.108081\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.agrformet.2020.108081<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Xie, W., Xiong, W., Pan, J., Ali, T., Cui, Q., Guan, D., Meng, J., Mueller, N. D., Lin, E., &amp; Davis, S. J. (2018). Decreases in global beer supply due to extreme drought and heat. <em>Nature Plants, 4<\/em>(11), 964\u2013969. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41477-018-0263-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41477-018-0263-1<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>European Environment Agency (EEA). (2019). <em>Climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector in Europe<\/em> (Informe t\u00e9cnico No 04\/2019). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eea.europa.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.eea.europa.eu<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Hop Growers of America. (2021). <em>2021 statistical report<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usahops.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.usahops.org<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2020). <em>The state of agricultural commodity markets 2020: Agricultural markets and sustainable development<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fao.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.fao.org<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"thebe-2852055145\" class=\"thebe-maridaje-cerveza-marihuana thebe-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49643\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-370x370.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4qHemVH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Maridaje de cerveza y queso profesional. Ciencia, t\u00e9cnica y sinergia sensorial<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><h2>We recommend<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/fullers-london-pride-tasting-notes-and-recommended-pairings\/\">Fuller\u2019s London Pride: Tasting Notes and Recommended Pairings<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/music-and-sound-frequencies-as-variables-in-beer-production\/\">Music and Sound Frequencies as Variables in Beer Production<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=\"thebe-828310451\" class=\"thebe-multiplex-final thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"2413980541\" data-ad-format=\"autorelaxed\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Climate change is not only transforming ecosystems and altering weather patterns but is also putting at risk one of humanity&#8217;s most iconic cultural products: beer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41971,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpai_generated_summary":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[21221,21224,21222,21223,21213],"class_list":["post-42104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sin-categoria","tag-barley","tag-climate-change","tag-ingredients","tag-innovation","tag-present"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42104"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42104\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}