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Hops crisis threatens Ballard’s Maritime Pacific

Posted by Dale on March 27th, 2008

The price of hops, a key ingredient in beer making, has gone from $220 for a 44-pound box to about $890 at the end of last year, according to a recent Seattle Weekly article. It’s driving up expenses — and beer prices, which you’ve probably noticed lately if you’ve perused the micro offerings at your Ballard-area grocery store.

The cost spike forced Pacific Rim Brewery in White Center out of business and they may be only the first local craft brewer to go under, SW writer Laura Onstot asserts. Maritime Pacific Brewing Company owner George Hancock put it succinctly: ”What’s the plan? Just try to survive.”

Knowing George, he’s not kidding around. So, if you’re a local business supporter, consider making the sacrifice to lift a pint at the Jolly Roger Taproom on Leary. Now if only all sacrifices tasted so good…

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  • Sophie
    There is a similar crisis happening for bakers because the price of grain has risen so dramatically - three times as expensive in less than a year. I hope we don't see all of our local restaurants and bakeries hiking prices like crazy or worse - going out of business. There was a great article in the Times about it http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-b...
  • Dale
    They just raised the price of all the bread products where I work because of that very issue. Anone want to utter the "R" word?
  • I'm glad you mentioned this article. I posted about this on my blog on 3/19 but I don't seem to have any readers yet. As a beer lover I don't want to see the amazing beer scene here fall apart.

    PS On the issue of cost of grain, James at Cafe Besalu was telling me on Friday that flour has gone up dramatically and is hard to source. This has got to be affecting next door neighbor Tall Grass as well.

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