New Zealanders are facing up to a serious climate change problem this week.

According to Jim Salinger, a scientist at the kiwi’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, a warmer New Zealand could mean less malting barley production. And that means less beer.

“It will mean either there will be pubs without beer or the cost of beer will go up,” he warns (New Zealand Herald).

It’s not just New Zealand that’s in trouble. Australian production in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales will also suffer (The Southland Times).

“Most areas in Australia where malting barley is cropped are likely to experience producing declines,” says Salinger (Herald Sun).

Worried New Zealanders can always brew their own beer, perhaps in a giant model of Futurama’s Bender robot.

As the Slashdot headline notes Climate Change Finally Impacts Important Industry. The comments here are the usual entertaining read.

Salinger made his remarks at The Institute of Brewing and Distilling convention in Auckland.

Image: Punch Stock