If you love craft beer, you love hops and barley. And right now, the future of both is at stake. The Brewers Association recently headed to Capitol Hill with a clear and urgent message: without federal investment in agricultural research, the raw ingredients that make craft beer possible could be in serious jeopardy.
What's at Stake
Hops and barley are not commodity crops with deep federal support systems. They are specialty crops grown in specific regions of the United States — places like the Yakima Valley in Washington and the fields of Montana and Idaho — and they are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, disease, drought, and pest pressures. Without ongoing research and development, growers face mounting challenges with fewer tools to respond.
The Brewers Association's government affairs team met with members of Congress to make the case that federal funding for hop and barley research isn't a nicety — it's a necessity. From disease-resistant varieties to drought-tolerant strains, the science behind these crops directly determines what ends up in your glass.
Why This Matters to Small and Independent Breweries
Large brewing conglomerates have the resources and contracts to absorb supply shocks. Small and independent craft breweries do not. When hop harvests fail or barley prices spike, it's the local taproom down the street that feels it first and hardest. Supporting federal agricultural research is one of the most direct ways the government can protect the 9,000+ small breweries operating across the United States.
Beyond economics, this is also about flavor, creativity, and the diversity of American craft beer. The explosion of hop varieties over the past two decades — Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, and hundreds more — was made possible in large part by publicly funded research programs. Cutting those programs now would be cutting the future of craft beer innovation.
The Brewers Association's Position
The Brewers Association has long been the strongest advocacy voice for small and independent brewers in Washington. Their Capitol Hill visits are part of a broader government affairs strategy to ensure that craft brewing remains a viable and thriving part of the American economy — from the farm to the fermenter to the front bar.
Their message is simple: No hops. No barley. No beer. Federal research funding is not an abstract policy debate. It is the foundation of every craft pint poured in America.
What You Can Do
Support your local and independent breweries. Visit their taprooms. Buy their beer. And let your elected representatives know that the craft beer industry — and the agricultural backbone that supports it — deserves their attention and investment.
Source: This article is based on reporting by the Brewers Association. Read the full original article here: No Hops, No Barley, No Beer — Brewers Association