A Moment of Silence for the Hops
CNN reports that 4% of American hops have been destroyed in a warehouse fire in Yakima, Washington. About 10,000 bales of 200 pounds each were ruined, which may affect the price of hops and, ultimately, beer. Fire was always a hazard due to the threat of spontaneous combustion caused by heat buildup in resin-loaded varieties of hops. America grows about 24% of the world’s hops, so this is a pain that can be felt worldwide.
Via NPR and Brian of plusmail fame

October 4th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
What is the “plusmail fame” of which you speak?
October 4th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Hm. Must’ve been a typo.