Britain could face higher beer prices and tighter supplies after a difficult barley harvest, Lisa Hogan has warned, as the summer’s heatwave puts pressure on farmers and brewers.
Ms Hogan, who runs Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire with former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, suggested suppliers may struggle to keep pace with demand. She said consumers could ultimately see the impact in the price of beer.
The warning comes as prolonged hot and dry weather has affected cereal crops across the country. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board said spring barley yields were around 26% below the five-year average by mid-August, with the crop showing the weakest performance since comparable records began in 1999. ([ahdb.org.uk](https://ahdb.org.uk/news/historically-low-yields-mean-harvest-2026-continues-to-disappoint?utm_source=openai))
Barley is a key ingredient in beer production, although not all of the crop is suitable for malting. AHDB has also reported that the area planted with barley in Great Britain fell by 12% for the 2026 harvest, while the proportion of varieties approved for brewing, malting and distilling declined compared with previous years. ([ahdb.org.uk](https://ahdb.org.uk/news/analyst-insight-mixed-outlook-for-crops-as-gb-barley-area-falls?utm_source=openai))
Barley harvest raises concerns for beer supplies
The organisation said the combination of a smaller planted area, lower carry-over stocks and difficult growing conditions was likely to tighten barley availability in the 2026-27 season. It warned that the supply of grain suitable for brewing could be particularly constrained. ([ahdb.org.uk](https://ahdb.org.uk/news/analyst-insight-mixed-outlook-for-crops-as-gb-barley-area-falls?utm_source=openai))
Government drought reports have separately highlighted the impact of high temperatures and limited rainfall on food production, noting that spring barley yields were expected to suffer. Harvesting began unusually early in parts of England as crops ripened faster than normal. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/national-drought-group-steps-up-response-after-third-heatwave?utm_source=openai))
For Ms Hogan and Mr Clarkson, the issue has a direct bearing on their own drinks business. Barley grown at Diddly Squat Farm is used in Hawkstone beer, which is sold through the farm’s wider commercial operation.
Ms Hogan’s comments amount to a warning about the pressures facing the supply chain rather than confirmation that beer will disappear from pubs and shops. But with demand remaining strong and the availability of brewing-quality barley under strain, drinkers may face higher prices if suppliers are forced to source more grain elsewhere.
