Please Grow

Wandered down the beer isle lately? Me too. I am a firm believer that beer is the drink of the common man (and woman). I buy it often as well as brew it myself. However, when the prices shoot up by $2.00 or $3.00 a six pack, I am left feeling that there could be no end to the bleakness of the economy. And, that the drink is no longer for every man. Et tu brewte?

How did the stress on the economy get the to beer? It should be protected from all of this. Well, here's what happened. Whether it was a storm, fire or both--I have heard both stories, there was some serious damage to the barley crop as well as the hop crop. The major brewers are not as effected from soaring grain and hop prices The big guys have long term supply contracts signed with their providers. But woe to the craft brewers who do not have supply contracts with the grain growers.

There is light at the end of the tunnel however. Mother nature seems to have eased up a bit on the crops in 2008. Adding to this, both hops and barley grow rather fast if given the chance. Hops can grow up to a foot a day in fact. Thank you mother nature.

Now all we have to do is wait a bit, and watch the prices of beer go back down so that both the craft brewers and we, the common man, can enjoy a great beer at a common price.