European Beer Prices on the Rise

A weak European barley harvest and a Russian wheat export ban will likely frustrate Chimay and Hoegaarden lovers in the U.S.

August 19, 2010

ATLANTA - The cost of European beers is likely to rise soon, WXIA-TV reports.

A weak barley harvest in Europe, along with Russian wheat export bans, are projected to send prices as much as 40 percent higher, according to European brewers, who reported a stress on grain supplies.

Domestically, grain prices have held steady, leading to modest increases on the prices of U.S. beer. They're currently up about two percent, according to government reports, with Anheuser-Busch and Coors having already raised or planning to raise their beer prices.

True beer connoisseurs remain unfazed by any talk of increasing prices, insisting that the comfort of a favorite beer overrides most cost concerns.

"As consumers, it gets passed on to us, and we decide one way or another if we want to accept it or not," said Atlanta self-professed beer connoisseur Jerry Nighswanger. "It won't affect me one way or another. "Am I going to cut back on a beer here and there? Probably not."

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