The brewers who have to “scrounge” for hops are not “less fortunate;” .They just refuse to look at the history of the brewing industry. The purchasing of hop futures is a more-than-100-year-old practice, built around hop shortages that have taken place in the past.
Smart brewers play in the futures market, just to avoid wild swings in hops prices or having to go around, hat in hand, and beg for hops.
It’s just another sign of the business immaturity of some craft breweries.
I've got Liberty, Goldings, and Fuggles in the back yard. I harvested a about 5 pounds last year. That's more than enough for my little home based craft brewing operation.
L