Biofuels cause beer price hikes

In Germany, Beer prices are set to climb in May as farmers switch from barley to corn to satisfy the huge demand for ethanol. In the past year, the price of barley has doubled on the German market, from €200 to €400 per ton. Barley production in the United States has fallen to the lowest level since 1936, and global stockpiles of barley are shrinking. Hop shortages have already caused a price hike, and when you add the push in most states to raise beer taxes, beer could be going the way of tobacco.

These price increases will also affect the homebrewer as the cost of his or her supplies go up.