just got this in an e-mail newsletter
World-Wide Hop Shortage
Attention Home-Brewers:
Hops are in short supply.
Prices have Doubled!
Availability of certain types of hops is extremely limited.
We are working to secure as much of this essential ingredient as possible. Please bear with us during this shortage.
There are many factors contributing to this shortage, and the resulating price increases:
Poor Crop Yield
Less Acreage devoted to hops
Increased Craft Brew Sales and Hop Usage
2 Major Hop Warehouse Fires
Weak US Dollar
What to expect:
Decreased availability
Price Increase (listed below)
Some varieties will be unavailable until at least December 2008.
Substitutions may be necessary.
Possible Purchasing Quantity Restrictions.
New Hop Prices are as follows:
Hop Pellets (1 oz.) = $3.25
Hop Pellets (16 oz.) = $40.00
Hop Leaf (1 oz.) = $3.95
Hop Leaf (16 oz.) = $45.00
Hop Plugs (1 oz.) = $4.95
What can I do during this shortage?
Please do not stock-pile hops.
Try to assess your specific hop needs.
Be flexible with the type of hops (pellets/plugs/leaf)
Be flexible with hop variety choices.
Contact us ASAP if you need a specific variety of hop.
Try some NEW Varieties of hops (coming soon!)
Grow your own hops (available this spring).
Relax, Don't Worry, Have a Home-Brew.
Thank you for your patience during this shortage.