The landscape is changing for beer lovers, and not for the better. A new study has revealed that hops, a vital ingredient in beer production, are being affected by climate change in major beer-producing European countries. Not only are hops ripening earlier and producing less since 1994, but they are also losing their critical bitter component that gives beer its unique taste.

According to the study published in the journal Nature Communications, the decline in hop yields could reach up to 18% by 2050. Additionally, the alpha acid content, which is responsible for the bitterness of beer, could decrease by up to 31% due to hotter and drier conditions. These findings highlight yet another threat posed by the climate crisis that people often take for granted.

Miroslav Trnka, co-author of the study and researcher at the Global Change Research Institute, emphasized the importance of understanding how climate change can impact even the things we value, such as the taste of beer. “We are really seeing changes that are affecting things that we value, like the taste of beer. Climate change really can have an effect on it, or at least have an effect on commodities that are critical for production,” Trnka said.

The study also points out that beer brewing has a long history dating back to 3100 BC. Now, each of the four basic ingredients of beer – water, barley, yeast, and hops – are threatened by global warming. Douglass Miller, a senior lecturer in food and beverage management at Cornell University, commented on the impact of climate change on hops and agricultural crops in general. “With climate change affecting a vast number of agricultural crops, I’m not surprised. Hops are also finicky plants, and there might be some crop failures,” Miller said.

The researchers used weather data and climate models to analyze how European hops have been and will be affected by climate change between 1970 and 2050. They found that scorching temperatures have already shifted the start of the hop growing season by 13 days from 1970 to 2018. The growth of new shoots from hop plants is now occurring earlier than in previous years, leading to earlier harvests that pose challenges for hop growers in scheduling operations.

Furthermore, the study highlights changing consumer preferences for beer aromas and flavors that require higher-quality hops. These specialty hops are typically grown in smaller regions, making them even more vulnerable to heatwaves and droughts fueled by climate change. Mark Sorrells, a professor at Cornell University, noted that hop farmers have already adjusted the locations of hop fields in response to changes in temperature and precipitation. However, consumer preferences may also shift as growers adapt to the changing conditions.

Although this study focused on major hop-growing European countries, the researchers believe it reflects what could happen in beer-producing regions in the US, such as the Pacific Northwest. Heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures are becoming increasingly common in these areas. “They are facing similar problems like European (countries), perhaps a slightly different timing and different frequency, but climate change is cumulatively affecting both regions in very similar ways,” said Trnka.

Despite the challenges, beer will undoubtedly continue to be one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. However, as climate change alters the availability and quality of hops, the taste of beer may never be the same. This serves as a reminder that the impacts of climate change extend far beyond what we usually consider, affecting even the simplest pleasures in life.