This St. Patrick’s Day, millions of Americans celebrate with beer, the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the U.S., totaling over 6 billion gallons annually. However, the climate crisis threatens beer’s essential ingredients, primarily due to issues like water scarcity and rising temperatures.
Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, is innovating by using Kernza, a climate-friendly perennial wheatgrass known for its nutty flavor. This grain, developed in partnership with Patagonia, requires less water and doesn’t need replanting annually, reducing tillage and fuel usage. As brewer Ben Kess noted, consumer awareness of Kernza is still growing.
The climate’s impact is particularly pressing for hops, which are crucial for beer’s flavor and grown primarily in the Pacific Northwest, where 75% of U.S. hops are produced. These delicate plants are increasingly threatened by extreme heat and drought, with water supplies from melting snowpack declining significantly due to climate change. Yakima Chief Hops’ Ryan Christian emphasized the essential role of hops while acknowledging the severe drought conditions that farms are currently facing.
In response, researchers at Yakima Chief are working to develop drought- and disease-resistant hop varieties, while brewers are adapting through innovative approaches like using Kernza. The overall message reflects the urgent need for the beer industry to evolve in the face of climate challenges.
Source link
