A WIRRAL brewer is “hopping mad” about the effects a rise in raw materials is having on his business.
Neil Young, the owner of Brimstage Brewery in Brimstage, Wirral, has seen the price of hops and grain soar this winter as last year’s poor weather across Europe and North America affects supply.
The cost of grain has increased by 40% to £650 per tonne, while the price of hops has trebled from its November price of £5 to £15-£20 per kg.
He warns there could be a rise in the price of a pint as a result.
“I had to buy my complete supply of hops in one hit,” he said. “My supplier can’t guarantee supply after March this year.”
Mr Young has been trading since October, 2006, operating his brewery in a former dairy belonging to the late Lord Leverhulme.
Three months ago, his brewery was named as best brewery at the Birkenhead Beer Festival.
Mr Young feels that landlords need to appreciate the demands on brewers, even if that means a small rise in the price of a pint.
He said: “Most landlords accept the small increase, but there are the hard few that want to squeeze the brewer and not care what the brewer’s costs are.”
alex.turner
