European hop quality disrupted by climate change

Researchers observed this trend by analyzing data from five sites in Germany, Slovenia and the Czech Republic which, along with Poland, are the main hop producers in Europe, Miroslav Trnka, one of the co-authors of the study. Yields fell at four sites from 9.5% to 19.4% over the period 1995-2018 compared to the period 1971-1994 and remained stable at a fifth site. At the same time, rising temperatures have brought forward the main stages of hop development by several days, thus affecting the concentration of alpha acids, the compound in hops that gives beer its bitterness and certain other aromas. Read also: When hops and photovoltaics join forces Extrapolating from this data, the researchers predict a decline in hop yields ranging from 4% to 18% over the period 2021-2050 compared to the period 1989-2018, and a reduction in alpha acid levels of 20% to 31%. Across southern and central Europe, “it will be necessary to increase the area dedicated to aromatic hops by 20% compared ...