Could Craft Brewers Run Out of Hops?

An article about a coming hops shortage by Tom Acitelli, the author of “The Audacity of Hops:  The History of America’s Craft Beer Revolution” actually appeared on the Op Ed page of The Wall Street Journal.  So listen up pilgrims.  This is serious stuff.

Mr. Acitelli dates the rise of Cascade hops to the 1975 release of Liberty Ale, a craft beer by America’s only craft brewery at the time, Anchor Brewing.  It was called “Liberty” to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride.  We didn’t know that and bet you didn’t either.

Hops add bitterness to beer and the Cascade hops in Liberty Ale made it way more bitter than Miller Lite, introduced the same year.

Long story short, the popularity of hops flavors has increased the price of hops from $1.88 a pound in 2004 to $3.59 a pound in 2013 with predictions that the price could go as high as $10 a pound by the end of 2014.  This price increase will affect smaller craft producers.

Because we live in a global world, the glut of hops a few years ago incentivized growers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho to reduce production.  Acreage is down just when demand for craft brews is at an all time high and growing.  If the trend for less hoppy, lower alcohol beers grows, it will be the salvation of the craft brewing industry.

Mr. Acitelli concludes his article with this amazing – in a good way – statement:  “American beer stylistically is now the envy of the drinking world – no small feat given that a generation ago Big Beer defined the nation’s beer as thin, yellow and cheap.”  We’ll drink to that.