Oh no! NPR is reporting that bad weather in Europe has lead to decreased production of hops, a crucial ingredient of beer. The shortage is causing the price of fancy microbrewery beers to rise.

Miller and Budweiser aren’t affected because they have futures contracts and use less hops. How much will the price of microbrew beer rise? No one is sure yet, but the brewer that NPR interviewed was very worried. He equated the skyrocketing price of gasoline to beer, and is worried that the hops shortage will price him out of the market.

“Some people are going to sell the truck and buy the Honda,” he said.

Hops Shortage Likely to Boost Price of Beer [NPR]
(Photo:MegElizabeth_)

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