NationStates Jolt Archive

A highly disturbing article today from the Financial Times (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/7f533724-c507-11db-b110-000b5df10621.html) shows how the push for ethanol may cause huge problems for the beer industry.
The rapid expansion of biofuel production may be welcome news for environmentalists but for the world’s beer drinkers it could be a different story.

Strong demand for biofuel feedstocks such as corn, soyabeans and rapeseed is encouraging farmers to plant these crops instead of grains like barley, driving up prices.

Jean-François van Boxmeer, chief executive of Heineken the Dutch brewer, warned last week that the expansion of the biofuel sector was beginning to cause a “structural shift” in European and US agricultural markets.

One consequence, he said, could be a long-term shift upwards in the price of beer. Barley and hops account for about 7-8 per cent of brewing costs.
I've never been a huge fan of ethanol, but this seals the deal for me. ;)

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

*panic buys*

Looks like I'm going to have to start homebrewing.

http://www.beer-wine.com/samuel_adams.asp

Looks like I'm going to have to start homebrewing.

http://www.beer-wine.com/samuel_adams.asp

That'll be even more expensive, because you won't be able to buy the barley in bulk. Of course, it's already more expensive--I got to meet the members of the Maltose Falcons, one of California's biggest homebrew clubs, when I worked at Anchor Brewing a couple of years ago, and they were complaining then of the entry cost to the hobby. It'll only get worse.

That'll be even more expensive, because you won't be able to buy the barley in bulk. Of course, it's already more expensive--I got to meet the members of the Maltose Falcons, one of California's biggest homebrew clubs, when I worked at Anchor Brewing a couple of years ago, and they were complaining then of the entry cost to the hobby. It'll only get worse.

Well, there's always pruno.

Well, there's always pruno.

*shudders*

*shudders*

Whatever the cost I'll still have alcohol. As far as I'm concerned it's one of the five food groups. Alcohol, red meat, fried stuff, spicy food, and vegetables.

Let's hope so, as beer is teh suck.

I could care less about gas.

I ride my bike everywhere and I love the cold, but that's only because of Vodka :(

A highly disturbing article today from the Financial Times (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/7f533724-c507-11db-b110-000b5df10621.html) shows how the push for ethanol may cause huge problems for the beer industry.

I've never been a huge fan of ethanol, but this seals the deal for me. ;)

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: (Cries, then cruxifies Fassigen for dissing the holy amber nectar...)

Let's hope so, as beer is teh suck.

A good beer can be as complex as a fine wine. Most of it isn't.

Of course, if you're a wine drinker, or a spirits drinker, this affects you as well, because beer drinkers will turn to other alcohol sources, which will drive their costs up.

How shall I live out my dream of becoming a bitter, disillusioned drunk without cheap booze?

Of course, if you're a wine drinker, or a spirits drinker, this affects you as well, because beer drinkers will turn to other alcohol sources, which will drive their costs up.

Three words for you: state liquor monopoly. That and proper drugs.

Three words for you: state liquor monopoly. That and proper drugs.

How will a state liquor monopoly get me drunk cheaper? Competition between different brands of beer and liquor help keep prices down.

Ban Ethanol, Piss Of The Devil!!!!!!!!!!!!

How will a state liquor monopoly get me drunk cheaper? Competition between different brands of beer and liquor help keep prices down.

As wiki tells us: "Germans and even people from France travel to the southernmost parts of Sweden to buy expensive bottles of wine to a price that would sometimes be considered a bargain back home. This has of course to do with the discounts that Systembolaget gets from its position in the global market (it is the world's largest buyer of wine and spirits), and also with the fact that Systembolaget has exactly the same markup (17% added) on every sold item".

So your crap shit like beer is more expensive, while your good shit like nice wine and Absolut vodka is cheaper.

As wiki tells us: "Germans and even people from France travel to the southernmost parts of Sweden to buy expensive bottles of wine to a price that would sometimes be considered a bargain back home. This has of course to do with the discounts that Systembolaget gets from its position in the global market (it is the world's largest buyer of wine and spirits), and also with the fact that Systembolaget has exactly the same markup (17% added) on every sold item".

So your crap shit like beer is more expensive, while your good shit like nice wine and Absolut vodka is cheaper.

Absolut vodka shouldn't be considered good shit.

So your crap shit like beer is more expensive, while your good shit like nice wine and Absolut vodka is cheaper.

*Has a seizure from pleasure*

Absolut vodka shouldn't be considered good shit.

I'm afraid hell has frozen over. I'm agreeing with Fass over you :eek:

I think I'll stick with delicious, delicious beer, and not drink stuff that tastes like rubbing alcohol or kerosene.

Wimp.

Absolut vodka shouldn't be considered good shit.

You shouldn't be considered to have taste, so here we are.

As wiki tells us: "Germans and even people from France travel to the southernmost parts of Sweden to buy expensive bottles of wine to a price that would sometimes be considered a bargain back home. This has of course to do with the discounts that Systembolaget gets from its position in the global market (it is the world's largest buyer of wine and spirits), and also with the fact that Systembolaget has exactly the same markup (17% added) on every sold item".

So your crap shit like beer is more expensive, while your good shit like nice wine and Absolut vodka is cheaper.

I think I'll stick with delicious, delicious beer, and not drink stuff that tastes like rubbing alcohol or kerosene.

Where's the fun if getting drunk tastes like a trip to the pharmacy?

Where's the fun if getting drunk tastes like licking a dirty toilet?

Wimp.

Where's the fun if getting drunk tastes like a trip to the pharmacy?

If I opt for a Boston Ale, for example, it tastes strongly of caramel. Real enjoyment.

Feckin' time warp.

Where's the fun if getting drunk tastes like licking a dirty toilet?

Only if you drink crappy beer.

On the other hand, all Vodka tastes like rubbing alcohol.

*Has a seizure from pleasure*



I'm afraid hell has frozen over. I'm agreeing with Fass over you :eek:

Absolut is a vodka for mixing drinks. It's on a par with Smirnoff. Ketel 1 is the cheapest vodka fit for drinking by itself.

Only if you drink crappy beer.

They're all crap. Even the gay, fruity ones which you'd think I'd love.

On the other hand, all Vodka tastes like rubbing alcohol.

Your wimpishness has already been established.

You shouldn't be considered to have taste, so here we are.

If we were talking about medicine, I would defer to you. When it comes to alcohol, I know my shit. Also the fact you think Absolut is good vodka clearly shows that you have no taste in liquor.

But the immediate price of vodka shouldn't be affected that much, as it's made largely from potatoes. Whiskey, however, could be affected very quickly, and that would also make me cry.

Only if you drink crappy beer.

On the other hand, all Vodka tastes like rubbing alcohol.

That is so not true. Get a good vodka, like Zyr or Armandale and you'll taste the difference.

Only if you drink crappy beer.

On the other hand, all Vodka tastes like rubbing alcohol.

That is so not true. Get a good vodka, like Zyr or Armandale and you'll taste the difference.

But the immediate price of vodka shouldn't be affected that much, as it's made largely from potatoes. Whiskey, however, could be affected very quickly, and that would also make me cry.

Most vodka nowadays is made from grain. There are still some potato vodkas out there, but they are the exception to the rule.

A highly disturbing article today from the Financial Times (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/7f533724-c507-11db-b110-000b5df10621.html) shows how the push for ethanol may cause huge problems for the beer industry.

I've never been a huge fan of ethanol, but this seals the deal for me. ;)

You won't be able to afford popcorn, either.

Looks like I'm going to have to start homebrewing.

http://www.beer-wine.com/samuel_adams.asp

Don't do it! I mean enter that contest. I'm a home brewer myself, and I checked out their fine print. THEY GET TO KEEP YOUR RECIPE!! And with absolutely no nod to your intellectual property. So you won't be compensated when you find your beer on a shelf being sold for $8.99 a six pack.

You won't be able to afford popcorn, either.
Yeah, but I don't like popcorn. ;)

But the point is a good one. Even the price of things like soda will go up, because of all the stuff we use high-fructose corn syrup in (though I try to avoid that shit whenever possible).

Don't do it! I mean enter that contest. I'm a home brewer myself, and I checked out their fine print. THEY GET TO KEEP YOUR RECIPE!! And with absolutely no nod to your intellectual property. So you won't be compensated when you find your beer on a shelf being sold for $8.99 a six pack.

But I would get a neat certificate that I can frame and hang on my wall though, right?

___http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/EverybodyPanic.gif

:eek: This can't be. It musn't be. :mad:

Now if there's a reason to take to the streets, it'd be no more beer!!!

And Fass? If you don't like beer - good: More for us who do. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/beerchug.gif

Bump.

That'll be even more expensive, because you won't be able to buy the barley in bulk.
Guess I'll have to start growing my own barley then.

And Fass? If you don't like beer - good: More for us who do. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/beerchug.gif

Quite.

My ancestors would be embarrassed if beer were not a regular part of my diet.

So your crap shit like beer is more expensive, while your good shit like nice wine and Absolut vodka is cheaper.
Absolut. Bah. Give me Finlandia any day.
Tried a great icelandic vodka a while back, but can't think what the name is now. Sculling 2 bottles of the stuff straight from the freezer in the company of two beautiful Russian chicks does that to my memory.

42 below is better than Absolut while we on about vodkas. Though it's more a mixer really.

...so...alcohol will be more expensive?

Who cares?! If anything, this is good news. Might put just enough of a larger dent in the pocket of problem drinkers to force them to stop their problem drinking. And for everyone else: get over it, it's alcohol and it tastes like shit no matter what kind it is. Stop drinking it because it doesn't taste good--the one reason to drink anything--and it's poisonous.

Stop drinking it because it doesn't taste good--the one reason to drink anything--and it's poisonous.
The reason we drink alcohol is because it makes others look more attractive, makes ourselves look extremely attractive, fills us with confidence and helps us to become incredibly witty and intelligent, loudly knowledgeable on any and every subject.

Yeah, but I don't like popcorn. ;)

But the point is a good one. Even the price of things like soda will go up, because of all the stuff we use high-fructose corn syrup in (though I try to avoid that shit whenever possible).

...wait, what? Popcorn more expensive? Sodas more expensive? All my lovely goods more expensive?

Okay, now I'm mad.

Demented Hamsters: So in other words, it helps you lie to yourself.

Ilike wine better. More depth

...so...alcohol will be more expensive?

Who cares?! If anything, this is good news. Might put just enough of a larger dent in the pocket of problem drinkers to force them to stop their problem drinking. And for everyone else: get over it, it's alcohol and it tastes like shit no matter what kind it is. Stop drinking it because it doesn't taste good--the one reason to drink anything--and it's poisonous.

I wholeheartedly disagree.

*Good* beer is delicious.

I wholeheartedly disagree.

*Good* beer is delicious.

There is no such thing as good beer, or good wine, or good spirits, or any other type of alcohole, PERIOD.

Demented Hamsters: So in other words, it helps you lie to yourself.
how does it make one lie to oneself? While under the influence all the above I mentioned are true.
It's reality that lies to you, telling you you're none of those things.


And you really should try a chilled pilsner (grolsch for eg) on a very hot summer's day after a long bike ride.
Then try telling me that beer don't taste good.

And you really should try a chilled pilsner (grolsch for eg) on a very hot summer's day after a long bike ride.
Then try telling me that beer don't taste good.
I probably should not, as I would likely kill myself if I drank that much alcohol. Something I probably should have mentioned along with my opinions is that even the smallest amount of alcohol causes me to become extremely ill. I have all the alcohol tolorance of an infant, but frankly, I don't think I'm missing out on anything.

...so...alcohol will be more expensive?

Who cares?! If anything, this is good news. Might put just enough of a larger dent in the pocket of problem drinkers to force them to stop their problem drinking. And for everyone else: get over it, it's alcohol and it tastes like shit no matter what kind it is. Stop drinking it because it doesn't taste good--the one reason to drink anything--and it's poisonous.
Maybe it tastes bad to you, but that's not true for everyone. I, for example, enjoy the taste of a good beer, or wine, or cocktail.

A highly disturbing article today from the Financial Times (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/7f533724-c507-11db-b110-000b5df10621.html) shows how the push for ethanol may cause huge problems for the beer industry.

I've never been a huge fan of ethanol, but this seals the deal for me. ;)

I have a friend who makes beer. That doesn't solve the grain shortages, but I'll bet you will always be able to find enough to make a decent batch.

I have a friend who makes beer. That doesn't solve the grain shortages, but I'll bet you will always be able to find enough to make a decent batch.

It's thought that beer was first developed as a way to make grain and bread last longer before spoiling, so if I have a choice between beer and bread, I know what I'm choosing.

if it is true what will happen to all the good microbreweries out there that will be priced out

It's thought that beer was first developed as a way to make grain and bread last longer before spoiling, so if I have a choice between beer and bread, I know what I'm choosing.
Now there's a good reason not to have toast in the morning. More beer, please!

Absolut is a vodka for mixing drinks. It's on a par with Smirnoff. Ketel 1 is the cheapest vodka fit for drinking by itself.

I like drinking Absolut, Greygoose, and Skky by itself.

I only mix drinks with Rum and 121. The latter for obvious reasons.

Whatever the cost I'll still have alcohol. As far as I'm concerned it's one of the five food groups. Alcohol, red meat, fried stuff, spicy food, and vegetables.

you can mix and match those groups, but its important to keep the brain wet.

There is no such thing as good beer, or good wine, or good spirits, or any other type of alcohole, PERIOD.

Then you are clearly insane.

There's always rice beer.

http://www.lesbieresnouvellefrance.com/biere.php?id=4&lg=en

And it's made locally, at least for me.

Well, if farmers start producing less barley, the price of barley will rise, causing farmers to plant more barley, causing the price to fall again. It's not going to go up that much because it's so easy to increase production; we've got a shit ton of good land lying fallow because crops have been artificially cheap for so long.

One good thing about ethanol is that it saves us more money on farm subsidies than it itself costs to subsidize.

But losing good beer would suck.

...so...alcohol will be more expensive?

Who cares?! If anything, this is good news. Might put just enough of a larger dent in the pocket of problem drinkers to force them to stop their problem drinking. And for everyone else: get over it, it's alcohol and it tastes like shit no matter what kind it is. Stop drinking it because it doesn't taste good--the one reason to drink anything--and it's poisonous.

You know what? When I'm feeling good alcohol makes me feel even better. When I'm feeling a little down alcohol cheers me up. When I'm stressed alcohol takes the edge off. Stop fucking with other people's lifestyle choices. That only makes you come off as a prick. I like drinking. I do so responsibly. It's my right and you've got no fucking business judging me.

I probably should not, as I would likely kill myself if I drank that much alcohol. Something I probably should have mentioned along with my opinions is that even the smallest amount of alcohol causes me to become extremely ill. I have all the alcohol tolorance of an infant, but frankly, I don't think I'm missing out on anything.

Oh, you're missing out on quite a lot. Now I understand. You're like a bitter parapalegic who thinks if he can't walk nobody should.

Well, if farmers start producing less barley, the price of barley will rise.

I think you mean: if farmers produce less barley the price will barley rise. :D

*dun dun chish*

I'm here all week.

Thats got to be the harshest thing I've heard all day. I applaud you sir.

Seriously? People must be annoyingly nice wherever you live.

Oh, you're missing out on quite a lot. Now I understand. You're like a bitter parapalegic who thinks if he can't walk nobody should.

Thats got to be the harshest thing I've heard all day. I applaud you sir.

Seriously? People must be annoyingly nice wherever you live.

Not really, although it was recently found to be the friendliest city in the UK.

The was just something about it I liked.

There's always rice beer.

http://www.lesbieresnouvellefrance.com/biere.php?id=4&lg=en

And it's made locally, at least for me.
Bottled piss might be another alternative. :mad::rolleyes::(

There's always rice beer.

http://www.lesbieresnouvellefrance.com/biere.php?id=4&lg=en

And it's made locally, at least for me.

We have rice beer here too. It's called Budweiser, or alternately, shit.

Oh, you're missing out on quite a lot. Now I understand. You're like a bitter parapalegic who thinks if he can't walk nobody should.

You know, at one time this might have actually managed to insult me. Now I laugh. With you, I might add, not at you.

Calm down, DCD. That rant was mostly a tired me letting out irritability in a fashion that did no harm to others. I refuse to drink alcohol, I am easily poisoned by it, but I'll be damned if I let someone else prevent you from choosing to drink it. I guess I forgot to include that in my rant making me look like a huge jackass. My apologies.

Best. Thread title. Ever. :D

There is no such thing as good beer, or good wine, or good spirits, or any other type of alcohole, PERIOD.

What are you, twelve? Where would Ireland be without Alcohol?

ALKEEHAWL HATER! Burn him! Buuurn him!

But seriously, whats your deal?

We have rice beer here too. It's called Budweiser, or alternately, shit.

But it is cheap.

We have rice beer here too. It’s called Budweiser, or alternately, shit.
American beer is like having sex in a canoe.

Why?

Because it’s fucking close to water.





Oldie but a goodie.

describe extremely ill? What have you drank thats made you 'ill'

What are you, twelve? Where would Ireland be without Alcohol?

ALKEEHAWL HATER! Burn him! Buuurn him!

But seriously, whats your deal?
.
Something I probably should have mentioned along with my opinions is that even the smallest amount of alcohol causes me to become extremely ill. I have all the alcohol tolorance of an infant
I'll be damned if I let someone else prevent you from choosing to drink it. I guess I forgot to include that in my rant making me look like a huge jackass. My apologies.

describe extremely ill? What have you drank thats made you 'ill'

Basically? Alcohol poisoning. As I said, I have all the alcohol tolorance of an infant, and thus can get alcohol poisoning from what to anyone else would be a typical drink. So the typical symptoms apply. It's not exactly pleasant.

And any alcohol does it to me, be it wine, spirits, beer, or what have you. I've never liked the taste of any alcohol anyway, so I never felt I was missing out.

But it is cheap.
I wouldn't want to drink it if I were paid to do so.

I wouldn't want to drink it if I were paid to do so.

If I were paid...yeah, I'd do it. But it depends on how much.

If I were paid...yeah, I'd do it. But it depends on how much.

If they paid a lot, and I only had to drink a little, then it's a deal. Otherwise...

Son of a bitch!

*runs for the keg*

Biofuels should only fdrive up the price of beer if government's subsidise the production of ethanol. Making ethanol from corn or barley is far less efficient than making it from sugar cane, so while I'd understand if this drove up the price of rum, it should only affect beer if the government interferes in the market.

Which, of course, it will, and to everyone's detriment. But the blame should fall on those agricultural subsidies for inefficient ethanol.