Popular alcoholic beverage may lose its taste: what's the reason?.

Beer may lose its flavor due to global warming

According to scientists' research, the quality of hops, one of the main components of beer, can decrease due to global warming. This information is reported by BBC Ukraine.

The main ingredients of beer are water, malted barley, yeast, and hops. The quality of hops depends on stable climatic conditions. Dry and hot seasons negatively affect its growth and the content of aromatic components, which directly impacts the taste of beer. An excessively hot summer deteriorates the quality of alpha acids in hops, which are responsible for its aroma and bitterness. Scientists warn that if no action is taken, by 2050 the yield of hops may decrease by 18%, while the level of alpha acids may decline by 31%.

Hops grow best within a specific temperature range; they do not tolerate excessive heat or cold. Currently, the most problematic situation with hops is in Southern Europe, where the climate is becoming less suitable for its cultivation. However, this can be countered by selecting more resilient varieties of hops and barley that can better withstand drought and extreme weather conditions.

Other methods to combat global warming include the proper selection and location of hop cultivation sites (which have high groundwater levels and shade), as well as the construction of irrigation systems. To adapt to rising temperatures, brewers can choose more resistant hop varieties.

It was reported that a truck with 400 barrels of Guinness beer was stolen in the UK before Christmas, resulting in supply disruptions of this popular beverage in some pubs across the country.