Ukraine is one of the top five global producers of barley. So brewers, particularly at a global level, will be watching the supply and price of barley
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Some beer prices are climbing as most parts of the process cost more-- from aluminum cans to transportation."The Ukraine accounts for about 20% of beer's usage of barley. It's one of the top five global producers of barley. So brewers, particularly at a global level, will be watching the supply and price of barley," said Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of The Beer Institute.
Molson Coors, which brews Milwaukee's Miller Beer, and other major brewers have so far been able to absorb the higher costs.That's not the case for dozens of craft brewers in Wisconsin."It's really hard for us to absorb price increases in raw materials without passing that along to the customer," said Andrew Gierczak, V.P. MobCraft Beer.
Beer prices are holding at the St. Paul Fish Company at the Public Market, but one bartender said some bars have already gone higher,