I Like Beer!

[Fat Freddy]

Bad news for those of us who enjoy micro-brews...

 

Beer drinkers beware: Shortage to boost costs

Undersupply of one key ingredient — hops — could impact flavor too

 

 

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. - Fans of Snipes Mountain Brewery’s cloudy Hefeweizen relish the subtle wheat flavor of the bright, summery brew, and like beer drinkers everywhere, they know when their favorite brew tastes a little too hoppy or bitter.

 

Connoisseurs could be in for a surprise this year, and they may not be alone.

 

Small brewers from Australia to Oregon face the daunting prospect of tweaking their recipes or experimenting less with new brews thanks to a worldwide shortage of one key beer ingredient and rising prices for others.

 

Oh, and one other thing: Beer prices are likely to climb. How high is anybody’s guess. Craft brewers don’t have the means to hedge against rising prices, like their industrial rivals.

 

“I’m guessing, at a minimum, at least a 10 percent jump in beer prices for the average consumer before the end of the year,” said Terry Butler, brewmaster at central Washington’s Snipes Mountain.

 

Sales have been relatively flat in recent years among the country’s big three brewers — Anheuser-Busch Cos., Molson Coors Brewing Co. and SABMiller PLC. unit Miller Brewing Co — while small, independent brewers have experienced tremendous growth. The craft brewing industry experienced a 12 percent increase by volume in 2006, with 6.7 million barrels of beer. Sales among microbreweries, which produce less than 15,000 barrels per year, grew 16 percent in 2006.

 

Now the bright spot in the brewing industry is facing mounting costs on nearly every front. Fuel, aluminum and glass prices have been going up quickly over a period of several years. Barley and wheat prices have skyrocketed as more farmers plant corn to meet increasing demand for ethanol, while others plant feed crops to replace acres lost to corn.

 

A decade-long oversupply of hops that had forced farmers to abandon the crop is finally gone and harvests were down this year. In the United States, where one-fourth of the world’s hops are grown, acreage fell 30 percent between 1995 and 2006.

 

Australia endured its worst drought on record. Hail storms across Europe damaged crops. Extreme heat in the western United States hurt both yields and quality.

 

Big brewers can hedge against rising prices for raw ingredients and can negotiate better, longer-term contracts for ingredients, while smaller brewers generally are left with whatever is left.

 

Snipes Mountain saw its barley malt prices grow between 10-15 percent this year, and paid $12.35 per pound for Cascade hops, far beyond the $5.60 per pound allotted last year.

 

Those rising prices and, in some cases, shortages, may force Butler to rethink his lineup of 13 beers in the months ahead. He’ll also be tinkering with a Hefeweizen recipe that relies on Saaz hops, a mild variety popular with Bohemian pilsners, after severe weather in Europe dinged as much as 40 percent of the crop.

[heaven&hell]

Bad news for those of us who enjoy micro-brews...

 

Beer drinkers beware: Shortage to boost costs

Undersupply of one key ingredient — hops — could impact flavor too

 

 

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. - Fans of Snipes Mountain Brewery’s cloudy Hefeweizen relish the subtle wheat flavor of the bright, summery brew, and like beer drinkers everywhere, they know when their favorite brew tastes a little too hoppy or bitter.

 

Connoisseurs could be in for a surprise this year, and they may not be alone.

 

Small brewers from Australia to Oregon face the daunting prospect of tweaking their recipes or experimenting less with new brews thanks to a worldwide shortage of one key beer ingredient and rising prices for others.

 

Oh, and one other thing: Beer prices are likely to climb. How high is anybody’s guess. Craft brewers don’t have the means to hedge against rising prices, like their industrial rivals.

 

“I’m guessing, at a minimum, at least a 10 percent jump in beer prices for the average consumer before the end of the year,” said Terry Butler, brewmaster at central Washington’s Snipes Mountain.

 

Sales have been relatively flat in recent years among the country’s big three brewers — Anheuser-Busch Cos., Molson Coors Brewing Co. and SABMiller PLC. unit Miller Brewing Co — while small, independent brewers have experienced tremendous growth. The craft brewing industry experienced a 12 percent increase by volume in 2006, with 6.7 million barrels of beer. Sales among microbreweries, which produce less than 15,000 barrels per year, grew 16 percent in 2006.

 

Now the bright spot in the brewing industry is facing mounting costs on nearly every front. Fuel, aluminum and glass prices have been going up quickly over a period of several years. Barley and wheat prices have skyrocketed as more farmers plant corn to meet increasing demand for ethanol, while others plant feed crops to replace acres lost to corn.

 

A decade-long oversupply of hops that had forced farmers to abandon the crop is finally gone and harvests were down this year. In the United States, where one-fourth of the world’s hops are grown, acreage fell 30 percent between 1995 and 2006.

 

Australia endured its worst drought on record. Hail storms across Europe damaged crops. Extreme heat in the western United States hurt both yields and quality.

 

Big brewers can hedge against rising prices for raw ingredients and can negotiate better, longer-term contracts for ingredients, while smaller brewers generally are left with whatever is left.

 

Snipes Mountain saw its barley malt prices grow between 10-15 percent this year, and paid $12.35 per pound for Cascade hops, far beyond the $5.60 per pound allotted last year.

 

Those rising prices and, in some cases, shortages, may force Butler to rethink his lineup of 13 beers in the months ahead. He’ll also be tinkering with a Hefeweizen recipe that relies on Saaz hops, a mild variety popular with Bohemian pilsners, after severe weather in Europe dinged as much as 40 percent of the crop.

 

 

 

This is horrible news as the micro brews are way to high as it is.

 

Schafly is made in St Louis, which is 2 hours from me, and it's at least $9/6-pack.

[heaven&hell]

I am enjoying a glass of wine and a JW Dundee American Pale Ale.

 

I usually don't like regular Pale Ales but this one is good.

I tend to prefer IPA's.

[Blue Charvel]

I am enjoying a glass of wine and a JW Dundee American Pale Ale.

 

I usually don't like regular Pale Ales but this one is good.

I tend to prefer IPA's.

In the same glass? Did you add a banana and some crushed ice for a delicious and healthy smoothie effect?

[heaven&hell]

I am enjoying a glass of wine and a JW Dundee American Pale Ale.

 

I usually don't like regular Pale Ales but this one is good.

I tend to prefer IPA's.

In the same glass? Did you add a banana and some crushed ice for a delicious and healthy smoothie effect?

 

 

No, seperate glasses. If you did put those two together would it make one of Geoff's pink drinks?

[Blue Charvel]

I am enjoying a glass of wine and a JW Dundee American Pale Ale.

 

I usually don't like regular Pale Ales but this one is good.

I tend to prefer IPA's.

In the same glass? Did you add a banana and some crushed ice for a delicious and healthy smoothie effect?

 

 

No, seperate glasses. If you did put those two together would it make one of Geoff's pink drinks?

Things that make you go "hmm"...

[heaven&hell]

I am enjoying a glass of wine and a JW Dundee American Pale Ale.

 

I usually don't like regular Pale Ales but this one is good.

I tend to prefer IPA's.

In the same glass? Did you add a banana and some crushed ice for a delicious and healthy smoothie effect?

 

 

No, seperate glasses. If you did put those two together would it make one of Geoff's pink drinks?

Things that make you go "hmm"...

 

Are you spinning your C+C Music Factory cd again?

[Fat Freddy]

I am enjoying a glass of wine and a JW Dundee American Pale Ale.

 

I usually don't like regular Pale Ales but this one is good.

I tend to prefer IPA's.

In the same glass? Did you add a banana and some crushed ice for a delicious and healthy smoothie effect?

 

 

No, seperate glasses. If you did put those two together would it make one of Geoff's pink drinks?

Things that make you go "hmm"...

 

Are you spinning your C+C Music Factory cd again?

 

EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!

[RichieZ]

Finishing up a six-pack of a Belgian beer this week called Hoegaarden. A bit fizzy like a lot of Belgians, but pretty good stuff.

[Jez]

Finishing up a six-pack of a Belgian beer this week called Hoegaarden. A bit fizzy like a lot of Belgians, but pretty good stuff.

 

 

Hoegarden is great stuff, and a beer I drink pretty regularly when I see it on pump in the pub - Wheat beer with a great flavour and a bit of Whack behind it - Great freezing cold with a slice of lime in it. A great choice Richie!!

[heaven&hell]

I just picked up a Sampler box of Sam Adams.

 

It had 2 of each of the following: Boston Ale, Boston lager, Brown Ale, Black lager, Honey Porter, and Scotch Ale.

[RichieZ]

Finishing up a six-pack of a Belgian beer this week called Hoegaarden. A bit fizzy like a lot of Belgians, but pretty good stuff.

 

 

Hoegarden is great stuff, and a beer I drink pretty regularly when I see it on pump in the pub - Wheat beer with a great flavour and a bit of Whack behind it - Great freezing cold with a slice of lime in it. A great choice Richie!!

 

Thanks, there were a couple packs at a nearby liquor store and it looked interesting, I'm glad I picked it up. Down to my last bottle just now

[Geoff]

Couple of beers and wines with dinner last night... but tonight is when I really ride as I rock out to some live rock n' roll shows. Rock on! Rock forever! Rock n' roll dreams come true! Let me rock your roll!

[Doksdad]

Tomorrow being a holiday for me (Veteran's Day) tippin' back a few Bud Selects. Wallowing in my Vikes loss but relishing my fantasy football win! All in all a good day.

[Blue Charvel]

I had several Coors Lights this weekend... not my usual choice, but they were free and that's my favorite price...

[heaven&hell]

I had 4 Sam Adams last night.

[Fat Freddy]

I had no beer last night

[Nick C]

No alcohol has touched my lips for over 2 weeks now!!!!! Last time was that Halloween party on the 27th October. I feel faint...and a little concerned.

[Jez]

No alcohol has touched my lips for over 2 weeks now!!!!! Last time was that Halloween party on the 27th October. I feel faint...and a little concerned.

 

 

Old Hollow Legs - You feeling ill Bro???

[Geoff]

They only had VB at the venue last night. It was... uh, interesting. Luckily I didn't want to get drunk anyway, 'cause I can only drink about 6 in a sitting and then it's too much for me. They went down well last nigt - no complaints. Except the $6 price tag, for a can of VB? wtf?

[Blue Charvel]

No alcohol has touched my lips for over 2 weeks now!!!!! Last time was that Halloween party on the 27th October. I feel faint...and a little concerned.

 

 

Old Hollow Legs - You feeling ill Bro???

Yeah seriously, what's up with that?

[Nick C]

No alcohol has touched my lips for over 2 weeks now!!!!! Last time was that Halloween party on the 27th October. I feel faint...and a little concerned.

 

 

Old Hollow Legs - You feeling ill Bro???

Yeah seriously, what's up with that?

I dunno......not having any tonight either - I don't think I am at any rate.

[aMetalhead1966]

No alcohol has touched my lips for over 2 weeks now!!!!! Last time was that Halloween party on the 27th October. I feel faint...and a little concerned.

 

 

Old Hollow Legs - You feeling ill Bro???

Yeah seriously, what's up with that?

I dunno......not having any tonight either - I don't think I am at any rate.

All that pillaging and looting has caught up with ya...

[heaven&hell]

No alcohol has touched my lips for over 2 weeks now!!!!! Last time was that Halloween party on the 27th October. I feel faint...and a little concerned.

 

 

Old Hollow Legs - You feeling ill Bro???

Yeah seriously, what's up with that?

I dunno......not having any tonight either - I don't think I am at any rate.

All that pillaging and looting has caught up with ya...

 

 

Maybe he's been to busy fighting crime with Geoff.

[Jez]

No alcohol has touched my lips for over 2 weeks now!!!!! Last time was that Halloween party on the 27th October. I feel faint...and a little concerned.

 

 

Old Hollow Legs - You feeling ill Bro???

Yeah seriously, what's up with that?

I dunno......not having any tonight either - I don't think I am at any rate.

All that pillaging and looting has caught up with ya...

 

 

Maybe he's been to busy fighting crime with Geoff.

 

 

Knowing those two, causing crime everywhere. Lock up your grannies!!