The Cold War was nothing to what the poor Russians look like facing now with beer in the country set to rise anything up to 40%. After China and the US the Russians are the third biggest beer drinkers on Earth but all that might change if the expected price hikes kick in. Spiraling costs are hurting Russians, not only foods but fuel, metals, glass and other raw materials are skyrocketing. Beer production in Russia accounts for about half of the county’s aluminium cans, and bottle glass and a whopping 80% of its malt. Low yeilds in grain has also helped put pressure in beer inflation. But there is a little optimisim in the Russian beer market with news that Calsberg and Scottish Newcastle are trying to purchase control of the country’s biggest brewer Baltika.
