TOLEDO -- During its brewing process, hops create a beer's flavor, aroma and bitterness.  And the price of these bitter flowers has risen exponentially in the past few months.

“As of six months ago, you could get a majority of hops for around $6 to $10 a pound.  Now, most of them are going for $30 to $45 a pound,” said Maumee Bay Brewing Company Brew Master Jonathan Koster.

Certain types cost ten times more than they did less than a year ago.  World-wide floods and droughts have contributed to this price spike.  And some even blame increased production of corn-based ethanol.  But, Maumee Bay Brewing Company has not passed part of the financial burden to its drinkers...yet.

“I think that if it stays like this in the following year, I think we'll probably have to increase the prices.  I know most breweries out there have increased prices already,” said Koster.

The rising price of hops is making it difficult for breweries.  But, Koster says the hardest part is actually finding them.

“Saaz hops was one of the main hops in Buckeye Beer.  And right now that's almost impossible to find,” said Koster.

Maumee Bay has enough Saaz for one more 200 gallon batch of Buckeye beer.  Now, the micro-brewery is opting for more available hops with similar characteristics like Tetnang.

“Having such a small availability, some hops we actually had to order in small bags like this and we had to cut them all open,” said Koster.

The sales of hop rhizomes, part of the flowering plant, are climbing.  People are purchasing the bud and planting their own hops crops…something Maumee Bay Brewing company hasn't ruled out.  Koster just hopes this August when the new harvest is ready it will provide a little price relief.