USA: Beer prices are expected to be impacted by barley prices

Beer prices have risen 3 percent in the past year and could go even higher next year, United Press International reported July 5.

The price of barley, which has jumped 48 percent in the last 11 months, is expected to impact beer prices, The Denver Post reported. Barley prices were driven up when many barley farmers switched to corn crops to feed the growing biofuel market.

"We're definitely concerned. We don't want to be in a position where to remain profitable we price our beer out of some consumers. We want to be able to keep our beer affordable," said Doug Odell, founder and brewmaster at Odell Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colo., told the Post.

Beer sales total $189.3 billion annually, the Beer Institute reported.

06 July, 2007