A brewed awakening: climate change threatens BEER

19.03.16 By
This article is more than 8 years old

Did you know climate change threatens not only our environment, but something close to the heart of so many Aussies? Beer!

Severe droughts worsened by climate change will have a devastating impact on beer’s main ingredients – barley, hops and even water.

To show you just how bad it could get, legendary Sydney craft brewers Young Henrys have brewed a beer under drought-like conditions, that lets you taste the effects of climate change:

It’s called Drought Draught, and you can try it at Young Henrys Brewery in Newtown, NSW on Saturday 19th March.

And if you buy a real Young Henrys beer afterwards, its cost will be donated to the Climate Council!

Climate Councillor Prof. Lesley Hughes said the future of one of Australia’s most popular beverages was under threat from climate change.

If you drink beer, climate change is already impacting you. In addition to hops shortages caused by more frequent and severe droughts, climate change is also reducing the quality of key crops used in the manufacturing of beer, including barley,” she said.

“With rising temperatures, increasing droughts and crop losses, it could be last drinks for beer lovers if we don’t effectively tackle climate change.”

Find out more about the Drought Draught tastings here, or if you can’t make it, you can always donate directly to the Climate Council here.

Check out our latest report on climate change, food and farming in Australia: Feeding A Hungry Nation.