Adapting beer amid climate change

Climate change is projected to cause declines in hop production in Europe of 4-18% by 2050, according to a study out recently in the journal Nature. Hops declines in Europe mean changes for American producers too. Climate change is anticipated to only further the challenges producers are already seeing in two key beer crops, hops (which have the biggest impact on flavor) and barley (a necessary ingredient in most beers). Some hops and barley growers in the U.S. say they’ve already seen their crops impacted by extreme heat, drought, and unpredictable growing seasons. Barley, another essential component of beer, is also being affected by climate shocks and drought. In recent years, researchers studying hops and barley have made changes to try to adapt. Winter barley, which is planted in fall instead of spring, is gaining traction, surprising some academics who were always told spring barley would reign supreme. Others are developing more drought-tolerant hops. Both are good advances, but the industry will also need to be mindful of its water use overall. Local brewers, growers, and researchers are banding together to make hops and barley that tolerate climate change without sacrificing flavor. Some researchers are working on varieties of hops that can better withstand summer heat, warmer winters, changing pests and diseases, and less snowfall, which could mean less available irrigation, said Shaun Townsend, an associate professor and senior researcher at Oregon State University. Townsend is working on a project where he subjects hops to drought stress to eventually create more drought-tolerant varieties. It’s no easy task, one that can take a decade, and one that also has to take into account brewers’ main considerations, taste, and yield. Better hops might still be a technology that’s down the line, but the story of barley improvements is already well underway. Winter barley may also be desirable for craft breweries that have started emphasizing local ingredients and who want something grown close by, even when climate shocks can make growing barley more unpredictable. This article was provided by The Associated Press.