Apparently early Americam brewers went through a similar crisis due to the price of english barley. resourcful American brewers used pumkpin as a substitute. The result was pumpkin beer.
Having recently tasted a pumpkin beer, I have to say...
"we must do what ever it takes to get the barley!"
I recently tasted Pumpkin Beer for the first time.
I could not spit it out fast enough.
Ohhhh was that nasty.
Give me Stout or give me death.
Or at least a Pilsner.
Cheers,
knewshound