Climate Change Affecting Beer Production

   Although beer production ought to be the least of our worries when considering all the problems climate change is causing worldwide, it just might be the thing that brings the message home for many people.  Beer will certainly become more expensive as a warmer world makes it more difficult to grow all the ingredients necessary to create beer.  Certain species of hops are in decline, as well as barley.  Not to mention water, which will certainly become infinitely more valuable as it gets more scarce.  I'm certain that in a world of water scarcity we will not even consider manufacturing water intensive products such as beer.  Currently, there is still a huge lack of concern over climate change but when people see the way it is affecting their everyday lives, (i.e. price of beer going way up), it will likely be one more thing that brings them to face up to the harsh reality of a changing climate.
    Breweries are already seeing the costs of ingredients for beer production rise due to climate change.  Although the consumer may not be conscious of this, many brewers and scientists are well aware of it.  We shouldn't trick ourselves into thinking we will have the kind of excess resources available so that we can brew beer in the future.  We are already seeing competition for land that barley is grown on, and as food scarcity becomes a reality in the United States, we will not even consider using precious pieces of land to grow wheat or barley for our favorite beverages.  This all sounds pretty grim but it's reality, so think twice next time you're sipping on your favorite beverage.

Here's a few articles about the effects of climate change on beer production:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4610087#.T6Ff9BzwRtg

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/oh-no-global-warming-is-affecting-beer-production.html

http://www.the9billion.com/2011/11/29/disaster-climate-change-is-already-harming-quality-beer-production/