How is Germany combating challenges of brewing cold beer amidst global warming?

Brewing cold beer is becoming more challenging as the planet warms, but Germany is taking action with research and education. At the Society of Hop Research , north of Munich, scientists are working to protect the future of beer . In a plant nursery nicknamed "Our Kindergarten," they are growing 7,000 new hop seedlings.

These plants are being developed to survive rising temperatures, droughts, and diseases like powdery mildew, which can harm hops, a key ingredient in making beer. Here is how Germany is using education to battle the challenges of brewing cold beer:

The Future of the Hallertau Region
The success or failure of these seedlings could shape the future of the Hallertau region, the world’s largest hops-growing area, which supplies most of the hops for beer. Next year, the surviving plants will be moved to trial fields in Bavaria, where researchers hope they will prove resilient to climate change and commercially viable. If successful, these hops could be used in beers worldwide, including at future Oktoberfests.

Blending research with tradition
These seedlings are a mix of modern research and centuries-old German traditions in hops farming and brewing. If they grow successfully, they could reach up to eight meters tall and be strong enough to handle environmental challenges like heat and drought.
“The new varieties give our farmers a chance to sustain their income for the next generation,” says Walter König, managing director of the Society of Hop Research. “They also give our brewers the varieties they need now and in the future.”

Climate-resistant hop varieties
In recent years, the Society of Hop Research has developed hop varieties that require less water and have deeper roots, making them more resilient to the hotter, drier weather. This education and exchange of information are essential to maintaining the traditional taste of German lagers and ales.

Adjusting brewing methods to climate change
Brewing a cold, crisp beer is becoming more difficult in a warming world, and it’s only expected to get harder. A study published last year in Nature Communications predicted a 4 to 18% drop in hop yields across Europe by 2050 unless farmers can adapt to the changing climate.