A worldwide shortage of hops – a key ingredient in most brews – and rising prices for malted barley have pushed up the cost beer.<br />
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Add global warming to that equation and precious, life-sustaining beer is becoming a luxury item. According to Gothamist, this past year has seen a drought in Australia, flooding in Germany, hailstorms in the Pacific Northwest, and lower crop yields throughout Europe ? all resulting in a dramatic spike in the cost of grains and hops.<br />
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After barely budging for several years, beer prices started to inch up in the second half of last year and are now rising at about a 4 percent annual rate, according to government statistics. It’s showing up in what brewers and distributors are charging for domestic and imported beer.<br />
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Prices for micro-brews are rising faster than the mass-produced beers. But even the big brewers aren’t immune. "Like all brewers, we are experiencing cost increases due to the rising prices of brewing ingredients," said Maureen Roth, a representative for Anheuser-Busch, the nation’s largest brewer.<br />
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Prices are on the rise people… time to hit the end fridge and switch to Schaefer.<br />
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Read more at <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_9011304"><strong>MercuryNews.com</strong></a>
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