The world is running out of hop crops
More and more news outlets are reporting on the worldwide hop shortage and increased prices for barley. One of our local brewers told us that he just paid $15/lb for hops that only last year cost him $3/lb. The US, which produces one-fourth of the world’s hop crop, was down by 30% this year. We posted about this way back in July when it was first coming to the forefront. Also in question is a growing glass shortage. This, in particular, is affecting the Belgian releases, while in the US, we’re only seeing a price-hike in glass costs. Y’know—that supply and demand thing. Should we blame the hop-heads with all their Double IPA’s? Kidding!

Speaking of glass, we want to remind you to please return those growlers you’re holding on to. It costs breweries money when they lose growlers or have slow returns—they need them in order to bring more beer to the market. You can return French Broad, Pisgah and Catawba Valley to us or the breweries directly for a refund.

Beer and exercise
In better news, could it be true that a little beer is better for you after exercise than water? Questionable, sure, but we like the sound of it!

Carding issues
In the latest from the Overreaction Department, it seems the country of Sweden is following in the footsteps of US state, Tennessee. An 77-yr-old man refused to show ID after “a cashier demanded to see proof that he was over 18.” Seriously! (Yes, that does get filed under “beer humor.”)